THE OTHER MAN

By Sean Patrick Mulroy

He wasn’t in the car—

not even in the trunk—

and when I looked inside

the kitchen cabinets

there wasn’t anything

but rat poison

and cereal.

I searched the closet twice,

turned out the pockets

of your pants, and ran

my hands between

your winter coats.

I could have sworn

I saw him cowering

beneath your desk—

but no.

I thought he might be

outside watching

through the window, so

I pulled the curtains down and

then I pulled the carpet up and

then I kicked holes

in the drywall.

When I couldn’t find him

in your bed, not even after

I cut open all the pillows and

I overturned the furniture and

burnt the mattress,

I took out a hammer,

and I split your skull in two

while you were sleeping.

I was certain I would find him there.

Whispering his slander in your ear.

Making you not love me.

#DarkPoetsClub