Thirty-five summers of silent steady erosions,
surviving by a frayed string of fantasies
dangling from that wedding day’s fabric.
No sunsets warm any longer as a lace of love,
passion was taken out with the garbage,
trash compactor pressed the heart
until it doesn’t feel a thing
when the other person in your bed
lies down beside you,
strangers who are naked and never touch,
lives left a nuptial satire
kept quietly as a private joke.
Valentines come without comment,
anniversaries mentioned only in passing.
Finances become the bond instead of a ring,
only some sense of commitment
serves as the icing on the vow cake,
bitter and unsatisfying,
swallowed with eyes closed
so you can remember those ancient dreams
of two souls truly holding unto a future,
together, happy, still enraptured in sweet union.
Bliss is the distraction you find
to keep you from screaming
over how this home is a cold tomb,
staying for so many reasons
those mantles of accumulated moments
worn as a millstone,
yet aware the heaviness must be carried,
while knowing only icy, acid fingers
will greet you at your house.
It’s a romance purgatory without escape or pardon
beset of thorns who don’t cause pain any longer,
groping on your knees without any relief,
still clinging to illusion
somewhere a fire might replace the winter.
Author notes
Marriage date February 3, 1973
A contest entry
- Tell Me About Your Marriage (contest) by Paloszoo.
700 points, ended March 29, 26 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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I know these emotions. So sad and pain filled. Please put in your AN what year you were married. Thanks for entering my contest. Good luck. I'm honored to have you show your work here.
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A strong piece filled with loveless pain. It is hard when a marraige becomes so cold. Very well written. Best to you in the contest.
Sam
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As someone who walked a completely different path This saddens me Though i am not so naive as to believe that every joining has the right glue to last
None the less this is still an excellent piece Good luck in the contest
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Wow! What a great job you did on this one! I love the deep take on this one! Great job! This is amazing!!!
Best of luck in this contest!
and love
Nyetta
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a very deep and powerful take on the promt good luck in the contestsis
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