Right Worshipful Husband

Inspired by the Paston Letters. Violent times of yore in a modern context.

Right reverend and worshipful husband I commend myself to you.
Why do your glares, hurtful words greet my love thats true?
Why did your macho strength, I loved, turn with spite, to me?
Is this how you show your love?  With snarl, with fist, with knee?

The Holy Trinity keep you safe, bring back your love to me.

Right reverend and worshipful husband I commend myself to you.
Now my nose is blocked with blood, my bruises black and blue.
Yet, when in drink, you aplogise,  and beg me to forgive.
Why do I take you back again to fill this life I live.

The Holy Trinity keep you safe, bring back your love to me.

Right reverend and worshipful husband I commend myself to you.
"Do I nag you?  Have I got fat?  Tell!  I shall renew!
It  must be me, I know it is!  Dear!  let me rearrange!
This body loathed; once you loved.  I'll  make it sweet again."


The Holy trinity keep you safe, bring back your love to me.


Right reverend and worshpful husband I commend myself to you.
See our chidren cower and weep, now the day is through.
Now you're home, drunk again.  Slapped my fretful face.
Thank God the chidren hid next door.  How much more to take?


Holy trinity forgive your soul,  Help me leave this place.


Right worthless and brutal husband I free myself from you.
I pledge my love of child and child, be only love that's true!
May you rot in hot, rank, Hell.  My anger fully roused!
I keep some pride, some self respect and leave you!   Wretched spouse!



The Holy trinity dam you.  Let Heaven be my house.

 

Author's Note

The greetings are from Agnes Paston's letters to her Husband John C1460 in Norfolk England. The narrator based on her sister Elizabeth.

Reviews

[Thurston]

Amazing subject. Sincerely wrought poem. No battered wives syndrome in those days. Very powerful. In vernacular of the time. Your range, Ron, is catholic.

[little mermaid]

So insightfully accurate Ron. Still as relevant today. Google 'Pathways Project' . Interesting use of the Paston letters to add to the irony. Nice shape and effective trademark shocking last line.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I can picture her quilled pen in hand, wonderful!