Alone I could own both sides of the double bed

And stay up reading novels half the night.

And no one would be here telling me turn off the light

And hogging the blankets.

And no one would be here saying he’s taking the car

And noticing that I let the milk turn sour.

Alone I could talk long distance for an hour

And who would stop me?

Alone a hard-boiled egg could be a meal

And the living-room couch could be red. not compromise-green.

And no one would be here making me go to Queens

For family brunches.

And no one would be here brushing his teeth with my brush

And pushing the thermostat down to sixty degrees.

Alone I could give Goodwill my boots and my skis

And switch to beaches,

Alone I could give up understanding Brie,

The Dow Jones average and his Cousin Rose.

And no one would be here telling me which of my clothes

Make me look chunky.

And no one would be here steaming the bathroom up

And wanting his back massaged and his buttons sewn.

And no one would be here. I would be alone

And I would hate it.