Divorce Pantoum (2018)

My name is Jamie Lee Hamann and I started sharing poetry articles back in 2013. Every year I share a poem a day in April.

I find you standing behind

as I look over my shoulder

after losing my temper around

my son struggling to pass 5th grade.

As I look over my shoulder

I see your calm expression,

my son struggling to pass 5th grade,

myself struggling to hold on.

I see your calm expression

in the dim hallway light

myself struggling to hold on

ashamed for you to see me.

In the dim hallway light

I say goodnight to my children

ashamed for you to see me

at my weakest and most vulnerable.

I say goodnight to my children

and turn off the lights in my house,

at my weakest and most vulnerable

I crawl into bed and sleep.