The Leaving is Easy

from the curb,
car engine humming,
I can see the door locks are new.
and there are other new things:
a lawn fountain
a plaster deer-she dips her nose prematurely
into the dry well.
there will never be water.

I shift to reverse
steer my tail end neatly into the drive.
I could have read the story
of bright new door locks,
the deer and the fountain,
from the curb. I could have skimmed
this narrative, skipped to the end, but till the end,
I give you the benefit of all my doubts
about us.

I climb the two steps and cross the porch
to put my tarnished brass key to the shiny lock-
it never did fit, did it? and anyway
these locks are yours, cash bought,
and my keys are only natural desire.

for you, for the locks,
like the deer dryly dipping her nose,
I am here, my hands cupped to your well.
and I consider this new locking out,
briefly imagine breaking a window-
entering you against your will-
but we have never broken any glass
between us
and you have taught me other lessons:

when you enter in reverse,
the leaving is easy.