she gets everything

the mistress gets everything,
almost.
the attention.
the flowers,
the gifts,
the cards, the books and rings,
and sweet gooey things
that the wife once got,
but no longer gets.
she's had her day.
she's locked in and will never leave.

men have to try harder
when they have something on
the side.
maybe pay some bills for
their new love
interest. they have to go
the extra mile for the new
cupcake,
buy what they need.
a new phone, perhaps
to take another dozen
selfies
of their secret rendezvous,
a well planned trip when
the timing is right.

maybe an apartment near by,
so she can be close,
and patient as she waits
for him to separate
and be forever hers when
they begin their new life.

she stares at her phone,
never leaving the house,
waiting for the next call,
when he sneaks away,
the next
text as the years go by,
and nothing changes.

more promises, more vows,
more lies.
the milk is free,
and the double life is
working just fine,
so why toss the old
wife under the bus when
he can have both and
keep his money. everything
is perfect.
he's got it all and
life is mighty fine.