30x30 2012 #18

This one made me kind of sad and I don't think it's done but posting anyway.


_______________________

The Duplicate

I received a duplicate

Everything was in fine working order, beautiful

& well-assembled, except

the duplicate knew it was a duplicate

Together we went about the errands

Day by day we bonded closer

Arranged the stamped silver in the back of the drawer

I would scrape the bowl and the duplicate

would lick the spoon

but I could tell the duplicate was sad

From the bed after boyfriend fell asleep

I would call out Are you awake to the duplicate

Yes would always come the reply

I could scratch your back I would offer

That's OK the duplicate would say

For many years it went on like this

A call and a response

I had just become accustomed to being in a pair

when one day the duplicate said: I am going
Then the duplicate took some of the clothes

and a vinyl Tweety Bird tote bag

and not much else

and I said Do you want some money

That's OK the duplicate said

Before the duplicate left

we clasped hands

Our hands fit together like zipper teeth

This was many years ago now

A zipper doesn't work without both sides

or at least it's not a zipper
It doesn't close anything