Memo to Younger Self

by Joan E. Cashin


In the small house with the big windows 
and the tea cup on the side table,
her heart broke.  He broke it.
The old story, infidelity, but it felt new
and the hurt was big,
so big she thought the windows would blow out.
But the house is still standing, windows intact,
and when she thinks of his name,
she repeats it softly to herself
and wonders why he ever meant so much.


* * * * *

Joan E. Cashin writes from the Midwest, and she has published in many journals, most recently in MONO, VITA BREVIS, MONTHS TO YEARS, and LITERARY YARD.