Repenting at Leisure

You've aged, old friend, you're old

now. No longer the virile man

with the perpetually  plundering eye

you once were. As a man of the world

are you happy? Satisfied with your choices?

Philandering did suit you well. Your

wife, younger by far and certainly

comelier than thou, not so much. She

tolerated in her love for you and the

comforts life with you offered as

much as she could. But when your

flings transgressed flagrant she too
made a lifestyle adjustment, leaving

you, now that the children were mature.

A solitary life was not what you sought

but no amount of promises and pledges

on your part of remorse and reform

convinced her to return to her lonely

husband, though she has seen fit

to forgive. Many years have passed

and  your anxious search for a

replacement companion has failed

despite numerous rehearsals. Your

standards, admittedly, are high: the

freshness of youth, athleticism, style

and appearance all featured, but

candidates have failed. In despair, a

cat has jointed your silent household

a delicate, most attractive and needy

feline, she is. Myriad trips abroad to

exotic far-off shores have broadened

your cosmopolitan perspective, enriched

the experiences of your life. But you

smile so infrequently and seem almost

morose at times. No need to respond

the question was frivolously rhetorical

just a reminder that we all make our

choices and live to regret them.