Through this trial separation
of which I’ve been found guilty
I know we’ve come to many decisions
about how to split the property
and the friends
and the artful way
we divided the dog-walking schedule
was a thing indeed
But I think
we have yet to agree
on the dispensation of the expressions.

There are a variety
of turns of phrase
that I brought into the relationship
and you adopted as your own.
On this
the era of our demise
I would like my phrases back,
please.
Give me my language.

Let me have “It takes nine to know one”
and “Don’t call me Shirley”
and “General Disturbance, meet Major Damage.”
I let you use them,
but it’s time my sentences come back to me.
Yes, I did give them to you
but we’ve agreed to return
so much to one another,
this shouldn’t be a big deal.

Return my turns of phrase
and I believe
everything will have gone back
where they belong.
So
what sayest thou?