he is almost inarticulate
in his fury
almost desperate
in his need
to chastise her
how many times
have I said
when you’re cooking
you can’t
you mustn’t
do anything else
how many times
~
well
she said
I thought
both of you were right there
surely you would know
when the rice
needed to be stirred
to be taken off
the flame
why does it have to be
my fault
~
he approaches me
after
wheezing and breathless
from the exertion
and the expenditure
of so much emotion
what am I going to do
with her
I can’t trust her
with anything
anymore
~
she approaches me
after
eyes a little glazed
anxious
to have a private
perhaps a sympathetic
conversation
I forget so much
these days
today I got distracted
by the washing
he seems to need
so much
to get angry with me
I do my best
~
all right
all right
let’s just calm down now
no more yelling
the rice is burnt
but no one has been harmed
you’re both ok
the saucepan will be cleaned
the smell will clear
you’ll eat a different meal
than you had planned
this afternoon
you rest
both of you
I’ll come back
tomorrow
and we’ll start again
hoo roo
till then
© Frank Prem, 2016
Poem #26: artist enough
04/12/17
You would wonder how this will further develop….. not a nice way to have to live.
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Yes, it’s a difficult process of change and adaptation and loss and anger but also support and mutual care. Much of the ire directed at the other arises from worry about/for them, rather than actual anger.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Cheers,
Frank
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I was so afraid this was going to result in violence. Glad that didn’t happen. Terry and I aren’t to that point yet, but sometimes I see a glimmer of our future together when one or both of us fails to control our irritation with things that can’t be helped–hearing loss, forgetfulness, distractibility. We work on purpose to disallow anger over these facts of life, which no young couple starting out expects to experience. I really like this one, Frank.
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No one ever sees it coming – the time when they can’t manage as well as they believe they should and know they need to. I’m the same. Need to make some preparations.
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It really doesn’t take much to get to this place. And it does come from a place of caring and worry, so I have lots of hope. Just as you’ve reminded, there needs to be a better way to cope with all the emotions when they first hit!
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It’s a grim thing to observe in loved ones. Difficult for them to endure, also.
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I think so. Also in oneself – it creeps up so quietly and suddenly!
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