Beau Boudreaux \ Spring 2015

*

Divorcé, Dispirited

“She takes, she takes
and we are left with what
remains behind,”

my friend’s father downed
another scotch on the second
floor of the Ritz Carlton

we proceeded to drink
on his tab after he turned in
our marriages went on

gorgeous wives in white
cackling on cream couches
over cocktails and jazz

flashing smiles, I slipped
out of conversation
for a moment, cornered

our minted graduate, as my wife
laughed out loud--the ballroom lights
laid its blanket for us

amidst midnight, swaying chandeliers
dangling diamond earrings
seersucker suits

our children tucked away--
we without one worry
despite the persistent rain outside.

*

Beau Boudreaux teaches English in Continuing Studies at Tulane University in New Orleans. His first book collection of poetry, RUNNING RED, RUNNING REDDER, was published in the spring of 2012 by Cherry Grove Collections. He has published poetry in journals including Antioch Review and Cream City Review, also in anthologies along with The Southern Poetry Anthology.