He said he’d love her,
For better or worse
Said he’d be there for her
Through the good and bad
But then he said he didn’t love her
Said she was not affectionate enough.
She said she’d love him
For better or worse
Said she would bear his children
Love and care for them
She said she needed his help and support
Said she was exhausted at night needed rest.
He said I need time out
Time with mates, camping, boys stuff
She said the boys are a handful
I’ve not time to think.
He said I love my boys
We do father dad things.
She said baby is ill, throwing up
Boy 2 is naughty, broke a vase today.
He said I’ll deal with this later.
She said I need you now.
He said I have to get to work
She said Boy 1 has shat his pants.
He said you look shit when I get home
She said the boys are killing me.
He said I ‘m going to the pub
She said there’s washing to be done.
He said you are the mother sort it out.
She said I’m doing my best.
He came home and the house was empty
She’d taken them all away.
He said I don’t know what to do.
She said do something, anything.
Written for: http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-2
Morpethroad 
Getting his comeuppance 😉
Well yes but one hopes for a better conclusion…..
This is a great poem. Some men are enlightened now and understand they need to help out with the kids and chores. But others are old fashioned, and don’t understand, simply having the kids play around them isn’t enough. I can’t blame the woman for leaving, she begged for help and he left her alone.
Thanks Mandi these are very difficult situations and like all marriages there are two people in it…..
Of course . . .
This is a great write Michael – I love what you have done with the prompt/suggestion. And even as you don’t often write in poetic form – this free verse of yours – works so well. It echoes the “brokenness” of conversations that often happen when relationships are failing. And how you’ve captured the essence and pain, the frustrations, from both points of view. And wow – the way you concluded – the ending? Those last 2 lines??? They hold such power.
He said I don’t know what to do.
She said do something, anything.
“Her” line – her conclusion – it is firm, but it doesn’t sound vicious, cruel. Just quietly tired. Exhausted.
And yet …. it is open to interpretation …. like an unfinished conversation.
Well done and very astute and sensitive. 🙂
A still all too common scenario.
Sadly yes Cathy.