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Green and Grey

A Villanelle of Divorce

By Mannix DunnPublished 10 months ago 1 min read

Green and grey—the colors of your beautiful eyes;

a softness I remember, though now our vows have died.

I kept my ring; you tossed yours in the river dividing sides.

Christmas ribbons, rumors, and the season’s quiet cries;

the life that grew in you reshaped the life you cast aside.

Green and grey—the colors of your beautiful eyes.

In smoky pool halls where sorrow settles with the rye,

the ache is endless; one more drink and courage slips awry.

I kept my ring; you tossed yours in the river dividing sides.

A long ledger kept of money and lies—

O, how I miss you—but lo, how I miss her. I tried.

Green and grey—the colors of your beautiful eyes.

Courtroom exchanges and playground visits, each prescribed;

your counsel circled us like flies around a hide.

I kept my ring; you tossed yours in the river dividing sides.

And now in two small beds she dreams, cleft by our divides;

I pray she finds a gentler truth than what we’ve supplied.

Green and grey—the colors of her beautiful eyes.

I kept my ring; you tossed yours in the river dividing sides.

Villanelle

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    Written by Mannix Dunn