I resigned to do time for my crime,
for all the lies to men and lying with men.
I signed up to marry a man I deemed at the time good enough, instead of great.
I felt guilty for my misdeeds, even the alleged ones he still suspects to this day.
Somehow I thought that a life of serving him might come close to redeeming the rough beginnings of our relationship:
a messy row of dominoes of cheating and lying.
Why do I feel that I owe him anything, after he has taken so much and given so little?
How can I build a strong marriage on a foundation of deception and shame?
It was harsh to give myself a life sentence.
Sage Burner Poetry 