stay away

i remember

the first day

when the third wife moved in

she hung

a crochet pillow

reading

Stay Away

onto the bedroom door

knob.

i asked her

what's that?

and she said, sometimes

i like to be alone,

and i need

some time to myself.

i don't want you coming

in here,

when you see that sign.

i laughed.

but we've only been married

for an hour.

so what, she said.

i have my moods.

are you telling me that i can't

have some alone time?

no. please,

have at it, i said

and pointed out the window

and told her.

do you see those

woods out there.

the trees, the rocks,

the stream.

squirrels?

that's where you go

to be alone.

go there.

suddenly i had seen

the tip of the iceberg

i was about to hit and

sink

the already listing ship.