My Lake Husband

My Lake Husband

My lake husband lives tranquilly amongst books and music
writing,thinking,planning for us all
at night his little house beacons with a philosophy of candles
casts his light
I visit on Wednesdays by long arrangement
and although the physical has become mainly
conversation ,a stroking of hair
and a comfort of skin
there is love and peace in it

My younger husbands till the fields
calling jokes out as they work
smoking in the sun
and singing as good companions
they come to me on Saturdays turn about
I make a special bath ,brush my hair
to ebony silk,put on my good red robe
we eat alone ,hold hands
chatter like crickets in the grass
talk of the children, swap stories
what we hope they'll keep
and how different their lives could be
when there are girls again
and of course they petition with those eyes
and I am a little tired on Sundays

we have now between us
two girls and two boys
who have one Mother and three Fathers
if any husband wanted to go
I would pack them food and clean shirts
money for trains
but for now we are well fed and happy
I love them all