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You see something you admire and

  You copy it exactly the same way

  But that admiration begins to inspire

  Resentment in a big way

  You’ve always trying to one up me

  And I didn’t know it was a competition

  I thought we were sharing something about me

  But you were fighting, a warring situation

  I’m tired of it

  I’ve had enough of it

  I can’t trust you

  You’re on my side just as a whim

  What if I need you?

  And now you’re siding with them

  I don’t need it

  Get away from me

  Take you and your psychosis over there

  Until you work this out amongst yourself

  I want nothing to do with you

  Until you decide which way you stand

  I’ll keep my distance

  Or maybe, I’ll love/hate you too

  Disappointment

  As I seemed to be disappointing him in some vague, unspecified manner,

  I asked that he be more specific,

  so I could disappoint him more directly and accurately.

  Morning Conversation

  (Conversation in descriptive language).

  HUSBAND is sitting at the dining room table, sipping a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper. WIFE walks into the room with a glass of orange juice.

  Wife:

  Standard greeting, sleepy, still waking up to the world.

  Husband:

  Small acknowledgement, distracted, inattentive.

  Wife:

  Waking up to the day's agenda, remembering some random items on my lists.

  Husband:

  Still distracted, not really listening.

  Wife:

  Ignored, wanting a little attention.

  Husband:

  Hearing the squeaky wheel, trying to appear attentive.

  Wife:

  Not appreciating the token effort, wanting real attention.

  Husband:

  Annoyed at being bothered this early, but giving full attention.

  Wife:

  Quiet signals of distress, resentment, a little anger.

  Husband:

  Not part of the schedule, maintenance required, forcing more attention on the subject.

  Wife:

  Rejected, not really being noticed, sadly astonished at all of this.

  Husband:

  Anger starting to simmer now, quick assessment of what just happened, assigning blame elsewhere.

  Wife:

  Quiet reflection of my life's situation, not as angry, more contemplative.

  Husband:

  Really getting mad now, reacting badly to silent treatment, defensive!

  Wife:

  Distracted? More introspection required, must take a mental assessment of my needs.

  Husband:

  Don't quite understand this reaction, too late to turn around, hostile, defensive!

  Wife:

  Still ignored, assessing the other, resentment at lack of understanding, lack of empathy.

  Husband:

  Offensive, complaining, on the attack, going for the jugular, zeroing in on target!

  Wife:

  Surprised! Shock, hurt, pain! Self-pity! Pure emotional reaction!

  Husband:

  Nagging regret creeping in, bad call, rereading the situation.

  Wife:

  Regret! Reassessing the situation again, not in my favor.

  Husband:

  Pulling back, backtracking, trying hard to underplay.

  Wife:

  Emotional wreck - play it to the hilt - gathering the pieces, getting it together.

  Husband:

  Adding temperance, a little humbled, feeling bad about the whole thing.

  Wife:

  Hopeful?

  Husband:

  Apology time.

  Wife:

  Acceptance, a little fear, mixed with some regret. Reciprocal apology offer?

  Husband:

  Accepting, keeping the tone down, soft pedaling, restraint.

  Wife:

  Brave and earnest face, inwardly a little shaky, please keep the peace.

  Husband:

  Peaceful, returning to the routine, back in gear.

  Wife:

  Time pressures, back to making list, some apprehension.

  Husband:

  Situation working itself out, no further assistance required, keeping the peace.

  Spring Cleaning

  Lift up the window and let in some fresh ideas.

  Clear out all of the dirt in your soul, all of the dust gathered in the corners of your inner being.

  Raise the shade, open the window, and let some sunlight into your personality.

  It needs airing out.

  You haven’t had many visitors. You can tell no one’s been in here for a while.

  Let’s straighten up your mind, throw out those old thoughts lying around, bring in some fresh linen, and make up your goals.

  These walls need painting, and your outlook need updating.

  Check into those closets, will you, and see if there are any valuable memories lying around.

  That sun feels good, doesn’t it?

  Take a deep breath, and get ready for a new life.

  Before the Fall

  I want the fall

  I want the golds, the browns, the burgundies,

  And the grays

  I want the cloudy skies, the crisp air, and unpredictable wind

  I want the leaves to crunch under my feet

  The temperamental rain and dramatic waves

  I want to feel myself pulling my jacket closer

  The sudden shifts in temperature

  I want the light in the distance getting closer

  I want the warmth of a door opening

  And the gleam of the autumn sun

  I want the heavy meals that fill the empty spaces inside

  And steam on the window with smells in the air

  I want the grapes and the pears and the apples

  The dried corn stalks, and the hay in open spaces

  The pumpkins and squash and piecrusts

  I want the short days and fading light

  The early frost and the threat of snow

  Pumpkins seeds and popcorn

  It’s August now

  And summer is nearly over

  The leaves are still green, but looking a little tired and worn

  I want the fall

  Soon it will come

  Melodramatic Love

  (Inspired by 500 Days of Summer)

  I love you like the wind

  Fleeting and gently

  Hostile and harsh

  Unrelenting and vicious

  Violent and calm

  Rushing, stopping, and starting

  I love you like the clouds

  Distant and beautiful

  Changing and vanishing

  Obstructing and playful

  Churning and waning

  Filtering, maddening, and selfish

  I love you like the rain

  Pouring and drenching

  Light and covering

  Overwhelming and drowning

  Whipping and punishing

  Soaking, touching, and yielding

  I love you like the snow

  Cold and melting

  Blanketing and smothering

  Chilled and delicate

  Massing and solitary

  Frozen, tender, and clinging

  I love you like the sun

  Brilliant and bright

  Life giving and necessary

  Burning and fading

  Drying and warm

  Predictable, blinding, and hot

  I love you like the moon

  Cool and distant

  Invisible and present

  Partially there, and lonely
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  Clear and cold

  Silent, constant, and just out of reach

  One Day Soon

  One day, soon,

  It will be

  Better than

  Nicer than

  Happier than

  More joyful than

  Brighter than

  Neater than

  Funnier than

  Sunnier than

  More peaceful than

  More fulfilling than

  More restful than

  More hopeful than

  And on that day

  I won’t look back

  And on that day

  It will be easy - enough to laugh

  And on that day

  There will be smiles enough

  And on that beautiful, wonderful day

  I’ll laugh

  Calmer than

  Softer than

  Gentler than

  More soothing than

  Now