her Daddy

closing in on

the epilogue

of The Red Comet.

she's

gone at this point,

found

lengthwise in her

nightgown

beside the hissing

stove,

the doors and windows

sealed with tape,

but more to come

as the beautiful

next wife is already

in her bed,

feeding her children.

eating strawberries

from her garden.

making love to her once

prince charming,

her muse,

her hope,

her salvation, her daddy.