Alchemy reversed,
the more-precious-than-gold
landscape fades as
evening dons her
best black to venture

out. On the town
the neon whispers
crudeness to the
streets, while the
shadows of her garden

smirk. Secrets hidden
under rhododendrons
lie festering until
night lays bare

the truth. He
creeps through the foliage,
checking over his shoulder
until, confident, he

takes the hidden key.

Her husband. Carefully
he turns the lock
to his domain.