shangri-la on route 7

she used to talk about
Shangri-La,
a rented room away from her
abusive
husband.
down the busy road,
among the strip malls,
with mattress stores,
and garages,
nestled off the beaten
track
of run down apartments.
tenement shacks. it was
a place
of peace and self indulgence.
a place
where the married
man could come
and not be found
by his bitter wife.
the balcony over the man
made lake,
the tired ducks.
each of them stretched out
on the rented bed.
without a care or regret.
happiness was found.
la dolce vita
she often said.
la dolce vita.