Fair Warning

If you’re thinking
About four more children,
Or a farm in Australia,
Give me notice.
If you’re planning
To take up racing or roulette,
Or become a Buddhist monk,
Give me warning.
And if you’re going to
Take a mistress–
Wine or woman–
Or simply sour with age,
Let me be the first to know.
And, if you’re planning
To run off with a newer model,
Or even with another man,
Or to leave me widowed young,
I, who have every claim and none,
Ask only this:
Tell me now.