marrying for money

the next time I
marry it will be
strictly for money,
you tell
your friend betty,
who throws back her
head and laughs,
almost losing her
wig in the wind.
ha, she says.
money. what about sex?
what about love?
how about a nice
pool? you answer.
a mansion in the country,
a condo
in the city, a beach
house, at the beach she
says, finishing
your sentence.
fine, she says, fine,
but be careful
what you wish for.
tonight I'm going
to pray for you.
you have me
worried.