JOINTLY OWNED LIVES
©1998 by Harlequeen

The masquerade of gifts and flowers,
Outward signs of inward feelings.
Cards at Christmas, birthdays, Easter,
On view for all to see.
Touching gestures, kisses, cuddles
Belies the venom in each others eyes.
Routines followed, customs practised
Postponing too-familiar sex.
Passions saved for illicit visits
Outside domestic realms.

Mortgaged home the only bondage
Chaining disinterested partners
In jointly owned lives.