She's going out

You wipe lipstick  
off your teeth
with a finger dipped in gin  
I watch ash confetti  
fall into the hearth  
from your cigarette  
as you lean forward  
and slide on a red shoe  
you spit polished clean.  
 
You smooth yourself thin  
by breathing in,  
the mirror above the mantle piece
watches your mouth hold a smile  
but your reflection won't let  
it be happy,  
it falls back too quickly  
to anxious.    
 
You'll be alright ?  
you ask like a statement  
and I sigh and draw out a yes  
so you think I don't care.  
 
Later when the door light  
slices two dark halves  
of my bedroom,  
you'll whisper loudly  
he's asleep  
and the second stair tread  
will creak twice  
as you touch my hair.  
 
In the morning  
we'll pour quiet milk on bland cereal  
you'll carry your mothers guilt  
in dried out tea bags  
while I try to sew fresh flowers  
back on to your dress.  
 
By tea time  
you'll say we're alright  
but its really a question  
and I'll sigh and draw out a yes  
so you'll think I don't care.