Joint Custody

You were gone

when I got home

at midnight

from a double shift.

Now you’re back,

two years later.

I had no idea

where you went

so I packed up

and got a room.

Long ago,

I begged you

not to leave

but that was then.

You can keep

the house, the car.

I'll come by

some starry night

when the moon is bright

and you're asleep.

I promise not to

wake the dogs.

When you get up

you'll find

I used my key

to take the kids.

-- Donal Mahoney