Visiting the Widow

The musician's widow

Thought there would be wine

Perhaps dancing

A candlelit dinner

With tales of old times

The poet brought a book, signed

Expecting dinner

Something simple, maybe stroganoff

Some wine and candles

Then a kiss

The widow had been alone

Wracked with grief

And her husband's friend, the poet

Consoled her from afar

Telling her their stories

He had to travel for work

She asked to meet

Something they'd never

Ever done

He agreed.

She opened the door

They immediately kissed

And he reminded himself of Deuteronomy

"If your brother dies without heir,

Marry his widow."

Already married

And not a Muslim, Mormon, or bigamist

Merely a fledgling adulterer

He convinced himself he was consoling her

And his dead friend would approve

Later, in the bedroom

When neither had had wine

Nor dancing, nor dinner, nor even candles

He said,

"I have to go."

He kissed her once

They hugged

And he left

Feeling guilty

While she remained alone.