The beginning of the end is hard to place
Reflection tells you it was longer
maybe years before
the moment you originally thought
to yourself this is it
Get advice from friends
The sentimental stuff will be hardest to separate if you still like each other
says one
who’s been there
Make two columns for equity in distribution by both monetary and sentimental value
says another
Equity and distribution
Monetary and sentimental value
The practicality of these phrases is absurd
sorting memories
wedding gifts
anniversary mementos
merged lives
into separate boxes to go to separate homes where they will take on a new life
and meet strangers
presumably
This wasn’t in your wedding vows
and
Won’t you try harder
scream a whisper at least a thousand times
and you tumble through the thought process
over and over
just to be sure to arrive back
at the sorting boxes of
equity in distribution by monetary and sentimental value
of the life you once built
with someone else
Through it all
never ever pass up an opportunity
to show the smallest kindness to your spouse
even if they aren’t, anymore