cutting back

i ask her how
she's doing and
she tells me
on the phone that
she doesn't need much
to get by these days,
she's trimmed the
fat out of her life,
got centered with
some yoga and deep
breathing exercises
she learned at the Y
on tuesday nights.
she says that all
she really needs is
some food and water,
shelter, transportation,
occasional love
and affection.
okay, maybe a fur
coat and my diamonds,
she says, i don't
think i could go
on without those.
and all of my shoes,
and dresses, and
slacks. and i suppose
i need a vacation
every now and then
to just get away and
relax, paris or rome
will do, nothing
domestic, this
country is starting
to bore me. she
sighs. i really have
cut back though. i'm
down to one martini
per night, unless it's
friday. i nod and tell
her yes, you're
practically living in
a nunnery dear.