Priyanka Aravind’s Poem

Priyanka Aravind

I know you are not the guy
in Amichai’s poem*, who will want
his dog to tear my husband’s testicles
after we part in silence.

You had always been meek,
righteous,
And eternally apologizing
for the stolen kisses,
your Dionysian spirit
midnight sextings,
pinches on the bum
and everything we shared.

Me?
I wish I said, “bite my ass”
if you were found with ‘nother gal.
But then, don’t you worry,
I’m tired and you know
dogs hate me.

• “A Dog after Love” by Yehuda Amichai.

Illustration: Athira Sadanand