Divorce Poplar

Elaine Bleakney

The house was empty by then.

Realtors flicked cards across the table.

Little marketing faces.

I am interested in this house;

I am no longer interested.

The living roof took rain.

She pulled seedlings out of the moss

tossing them on the slab below.

She framed images.

She arranged images:

they protected each other

when he went below.

On return, he let her know

he had forgiven himself.

He followed her upstairs.

I can’t show you upstairs.

Boasting emptiness and light.

Mountain views. Remembering

is private; by “private” I mean

the poplar blows open every May.