Epilogue to Your Ex

(16 January 1995) after Robert Browning

Sometimes when you complain about him, when he acts out the worst of the male burden without the virtue to support it, without the support of history—I almost sympathize with him, —Pity him? To make you so upset, so angry, so hurt, but to represent my gender, my enemy! Wouldn’t his failure be in my genes, too, unable to understand how things have changed —Being—what? I would never support anyone who hurt you, never give him the benefit of doubt, never waver, ever faithful, to protect you always, as I promised, in sickness, in health, death to part. But if it’s our fear that conquers us, let him greet the unknown as he will! Let him mistake before I falter, show me the turns I must avoid, alone, lead on, never here!