The Bearer of Ritual Objects ~ Sunday, January 25, 2026

Alea iacta est

My ex-wife spoke little about her past
yet, she was interested in my life

exactly what she liked was my last name
xenophilia, on the whole, to last

waits, naturally, to allow for change
in the art of marriage, carry a knife
for cutting boxes at the bookstore, shame
everything must come to an end, no good

such is life, I went away to arrange
perhaps, my affairs or my state of mind
order and organization, I seek
kindness, my depression, a yoke I find
expresses the horror found in the weak

life is unfair to some, some wear a hood
in this world, recognition means money
titled and privileged, as in my surname
to marry into royalty, a wedge
literally placed between us, funny
exactly why she kept my last name, work

as her professional work name, the shame
blame and pointless name-calling game, to hedge
our bets on principles, ego, or wealth
underlying the desire, as a quirk
to revert back to her maiden name, heard

how could I be less petty, let it go
examine the red flags, a little bird
remembers, what does it matter, ego

perhaps long ago, I was in poor health
as a young man, a portrait, the artist
still, what was done was done, the die was cast
to lack understanding of fate, my fist