(Dick and Margarita)
He died on her birthday
which was not the sort of surprise
she was looking for.
Earlier that day
he had thrown her a party
which WAS a surprise
– particularly as it followed a fight
he had faked
to lead her astray.

The party was delightful
particularly as it showed his consideration
on a day that had been so special
for him too.
So why, then,
did he have to go off on that joyride?
What made him
need to leave
to look for something more
to do that day?
If he hadn’t left
he wouldn’t be gone.
Why wasn’t the party,
and before that, the reception
and before that, the marriage
enough?
Why wasn’t she enough?

He never answered that question,
but he did provide her
a final gift
that took a long time for her to appreciate:
independence.