The Suicide
didn't thank
didn't wave goodbye
didn't flutter the air with kisses
a mound of gifts unwrapped
bed unmade
no appetite
always elsewhere
though it was raining elsewhere
though strangers peopled the streets
though we at home slaved and
baked and wept and
hung ornaments
and perfumed the dark
did he marvel
did he thank
was he grateful did he know
was he human
was he there
always elsewhere:
didn't thank
didn't kiss
toothbrush stiffened with unuse
puppy whining in the hall
car battery dead
sweaters unraveled
was that human?
Went where?
Copyright Credit: Joyce Carol Oates, "The Suicide" from Women Whose Lives Are Food, Men Whose Lives Are Money. Copyright © 1978 by Joyce Carol Oates. Reprinted by permission of Joyce Carol Oates.
Source: Women Whose Lives Are Food, Men Whose Lives Are Money (Louisiana State University Press, 1978)