A Letter to the Mrs.

hello, it's me

we've never met
but you know who i am

i've been in your prayers at night
the one you entreated would never become reality

i'm that question in the back of your mind
the one you really don't want answered

perhaps you've caught a glimpse of my face
once or twice in his eyes

we've never stood face-to-face
and if God is kind
we will never cross paths in this lifetime

and yet

we are intrinsically connected
by the same man

I am the other woman

And I am jealous of you

I may have his passion
but passion is fleeting

You have his home
his children
his physical being

things I will only dream about for the rest of my life

I am words only on a screen
a voice on the phone
an escape

I am
the perfect relationship

one with an off switch

I will never quarrel with him over bills
make his dinner
watch him laugh with his children
share a bathroom
meet his co-workers
dance a slow dance
pick up his socks
smile at him from across the room at a party

I will never fall asleep next to him at night
nor wake up next to him in the morning

I may have his heart for the moment
But you have his life

So next time you question a smile on his face
a far away look in his eye
take a look around you

and remember
I am on the outside looking in
a martyr of my own making

and there is no off switch
for reality