You thought and said I was inept.
Such a nice quiet man
I heard you call me
To friends, family
Anyone who’d listen.
Too busy with the children
To preoccupied with the house
The renovations,
The kid’s commitments
The need to be good at my job
The hours of prep
Far to absorbed
To look sideways.
The harassed husband
The man who’d make some woman a good wife one day
I was derided as
But you didn’t know
Why would you?
Where you thought I was tied up all day every day
I knew you were
That ever wanting need
To be the best
To walk over anyone in your way
Including me.
The abuse and terror
When things weren’t your way
When being at home
Meant being at war.
I don’t regret my actions
I don’t regret stepping out
I enjoyed every moment
Thrilled and loaded with expectation
She listened and then loved.
Ours was a marriage
Where I didn’t matter
A glorified housekeeper and baby sitter
Apart from my innate use as a whipping post.
Upon discovery years later
You expressed an embarrassed surprise.
The stunned silence shattered in a way only you could contrive
‘So who was it found you so attractive?’
Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/11/02/prompt-79-surprise/
Morpethroad 
“When being at home
Meant being at war.” this line is so powerful Michael my God it tells a very vivid and painful tale all by itself
I did not expect the ending at all
Thank you Yves, surprised you eh?
You did Michael
Thrilled and loaded like a gun, one always willing to pull the trigger, shattering the silence.
Thank you for reading Jenny, thanks for dropping by.
Oh, what a (B) witch!
Thanks for reading Debi. I love an indignant comment…..have a good day.
I agree this line ‘When being at home Meant being at war’ It speaks volumes in a poem that shows the pain of a relationship ripping apart.
Thanks Kim I appreciate you reading and your thoughtful comment.
I appreciate your visits too.
Well if you ask me she deserved all she got, what a terrible woman. Glad you ‘stepped out’. As always Michael. I well written emotional piece.
Thank you Jackie, so accurate as always.
At war at home. Hidden suffering, real and raw. You write very powerfully, Michael. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Angie for reading and your comment, hope your Sunday is a good one.
I kept bobbing my head reading this and loved the ending…home being a war zone rather than your haven…and the abuser is always shocked when you leave. As always an awesome write, Michael.
Thank you Oliana, its where my muse took me, back into the dark past.
Glad you are no longer there.
So am I……
aren’t you in Japan?
Not yet, I leave on Thursday…….
Ah, so that would be my Wednesday.
Yes that’s right.
Kind of reminds me of when I was growing up… only it was both parents who were never home saying I was inept. And cheating on each other. And yet they stayed together. I had inquired why?
But I was too late in asking the question. Which I supposed doesn’t matter since I …moved on vowing not to be like either one.
Thanks Jules for reading I think it is wise to learn from our parents, I know my kids have despite their reluctance to admit they inherited so much from their mother.
You are especially talented at writing this style of poem, Michael. She sounds like your typical feminist boofhead who believes their own press.
Oh Lyn how accurate you are. You are so clever and perceptive.
LOL I have no time for feminazis 😉
Like everyone else, I loved ‘When being at home Meant being at war’. While I was lucky at my place, the screams and yells that used to permeate out walls from around the neighborhood raised too many questions.
Very well written!
Thanks praj, lovely to see you drop by.
Such a powerful piece Michael – full of a quiet dignity that can only be expressed by one who has decided to know and truly appreciate their value and self worth, in honest love – of oneself.
In the face of an ongoing war – you have expressed so much – so well – and I really love the accurate portrait of what one could conceivably and truthfully call a “shrew.” The surprise twist – is amazing – although I sensed it earlier on – and yes, that final “bite” – how cruel.
Amazingly sensitive Michael 🙂 Truly strong and moving writing – a story told from a perspective many refuse to acknowledge, yet is so often prevalent.
You write the most amazing comments Pat, seeing responses always makes me happy. I am pleased you are able to do so and and I appreciate each comment. Flattery is such an ego builder, keep it up. Have a good day.
Ahhhh but Michael, it isn’t flattery – I prefer to think of it (my how my ego is running amok today) as a Truth of some kind. Notice the “T” – honestly, who do I think I am?!
Seriously though, when I comment it is because there has been something that has touched and moved me – and I take my commenting seriously – whether it is humorous or serious or something in between. After all, each creation as composed is offered to the world here – and who doesn’t want to hear some positive feedback that in some way, they have made a mark and left an impression?
And so Michael – I say – keep writing and sharing and we all shall keep enjoying and appreciating and learning as we go along 😀 You have an amazing day/evening etc.
Thanks Pat, I appreciate your comment. I may be a bit blasé about comments at times but I always enjoy reading your responses to what I write.
I won’t be posting for a few weeks as I am in Tokyo at the moment having a holiday with my cousin.
But I will try and read everything you post, as I enjoy your style very much. Enjoy your evening.
Well I hope you have a wonderful wonderful holiday Michael. Be safe and well 🙂