Sheryl's blonde hair

Sheryl's blonde hair

hangs just past shoulder length

and always smells

like a fresh bottle of

shampoo

I notice this when we talk

after work is over

she steps in the door

down the hall

our oldest daughter dragging

her backpack behind her

and our youngest (the one with

Sheryl's blonde hair)

in her arms, asleep

Hi Scott, she says

as she lays our youngest

on the couch

and her eyes are red

and she has finger-paint

on her new dress

and her fingers are speckled

with magic marker

she teaches kindergarten

and as she lets her stiff body

go limp onto the loveseat

beside me

her head and its blonde hair

lean over into my chest

still fresh as a morning shower

and she closes her eyes