His Other Woman
(Vietnam)

I used to think it was the full moon creating turmoil in your head, 
casting ghostly shadows, 
faces with no names on our bedroom wall

Or the driving rain
attacking the roof all night, 
sounding like an M-16 you used to know

But even on those few glorious,
tropical days we had, 
I felt the heaviness of your heart. 

Sweat poured off your nose,
and your hands shook as you lit another cigarette.
I knew you were far away, struggling to survive in that infernal jungle heat

We drove to the ocean, 
and I prayed the serenity of the gentle waves
would work its magic within you

You inhaled deeply the salty air, 
and with that inaccessible look on your face
you spoke of the rare beauty of the South China Sea

Day and night, she reaches into every corner of our life! 
You hate her, but you love her, too, 
and take her to bed with us each night

I’m jealous of her, and afraid of her
But she’s a permanent resident,
and I wouldn’t throw her out if I could

If only we could talk, woman-to-woman
I’d tell her we can all live together,
But she must respect the life we’ve made, not destroy it!

I’m resigned to sharing you babe, but remember, 
she’s fickle, and shares her days and nights 
with a lot of others, just like you...

~Debbe Reynolds, 1992~