shedding skins

when I met her,
painted her house, hung
a flock
wallpaper
in the bathroom,
helped her throw a rug
down
in the living room,
she was
on drugs
and drinking.
pale and red eyed,
from too much vodka
and not enough sun,
her hands trembled.
there was always
a new man
in her hot tub which
bubbled
hot on the deck
out back. he would wave
to me as I worked.
she wanted out, wanted
a new skin,
a new life.
flash forward five
years later.
I see her on face book,
clear eyed
and calm,
doing self help
videos, doling out
long sessions of
sage advice.
,