Marital Minefields

My husband and I have witnessed many near break-ups. Sometimes we end up casualties of other people's wars.

Past fatigue to intense pain
After a day's labor in the sun
Seeing double, nothing clear
Every nerve burned out
From lifting and moving
Remnants of others' fears

Anxious fighting hits my ears
Signs of pressure-cooker hours
Only days to letting go
Venturing out into the unknown
Weak promises and unsigned deals
New life in a new town with no plan
Surreal

The tug of war-
What to trash and what to take
Bystanders, we underestimate
This could be the end
Or only the color of the hour
Fading to black threats
Having no real power

Gut-wrenching, bitter-tasting anger
Years stored up
Against each neighbor
Secrets under rats' nests
and moldy old clothes
Secrets we will never know

So bone-tired of praying an end to war
Changing locks on a door
Watching as love is decimated
Recapitulated
More chances to even the score

My feet walk sorely on the earth
Limping and swollen
The path uphill and rocky
My back weighted by losses
Not my own
I am alone
Finally
To shut out accusations
Make reparations
To a heart I asked to overextend
In mediations of peace talks
No one had the intention
To ever attend.

Bitter and foul, I can't shake it off
More the corner man with a towel
Than what I first thought
If friends knew what their virus wrought
A spiraling fall down a familiar well
Stone cold battering, ice cold water
Broken and lost in the storm we've been caught in
Looking through their eyes
The rage of their pain infecting my spirit
Despair again

Next time I go shielded
Wrapped in orbs
Of impenetrable light
Dodging the fight
With spiritual akido
Pain of labor can birth new life
Sadly, the suffering of stillbirth tonight

Author's Note

Had to pour out all the poison I ingested, clear my system, trying to help some friends. I forget some people's lives are battlegrounds, and even a medic can get shot. If you got through it, thanks for listening, but sage yourself or something, I don't want to spread the infection.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I do understand this poem. Me and wife raised four children. A few disagreements.
"Next time I go shielded
Wrapped in orbs
Of impenetrable light
Dodging the fight
With spiritual akido
Pain of labor can birth new life
Sadly, the suffering of stillbirth tonight "
The above lines. Realistic view on real life. Thank you Marianne for sharing your amazing poetry. You made my day today.
Coyote

[Marianne Rose]

Thank you Coyote for letting me pour out so much, feeling guilty for venting in a way on new friends, and still have you say "you made my day". I can tell by your first response that you do understand. May we all find ways to wrap ourselves in light. I appreciate your reading this and responding so kindly.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this poem. Real life make us write and you are welcome.

[William Gardner]

Poetry is a platform that can be anything we want it to be- it is freedom writing. This was definitely a long trek out if the everyday muck and you pulled me right along with you. I was hoping for a transcending moment but poetry's only limit is time and it is quick. I was left right there at the door hoping it would be opened. Appreciate the journey!

[Marianne Rose]

What a great way to describe your reading of this poem! Yes, I was hoping for a transcending moment too, but this is one of the ones that just expressed the dark fatigue and pain of the day. I like your reflection that you were left at the door waiting for it to happen. When I write the last line, it felt authentic, but like a slap in the face waking me to the idea that sometimes there are no happy endings. Of course, there are more happy endings in my other poems. I sure wouldn't want this one to be a signature of my style or message- just a slice of life with a bitter taste. Thanks so much for your review.

[Inject Positivity]

Relationships are build up on the concept of love, it is the bedrock of the connection between two people... Sometimes we found ourselves as the witness of relationship war of our frnds, and in such situations we try to help them because that is what our says, because we love them but the effect of their verbal and emotional war causes us to feel isolated sometimes... I know the feeling, I have been there helping a frnd of mine but the return I got was becoming a fool in that situation... The problems between them can only be solved by them, we can only calm them down but their relationship will stand by through their love and respect...

I think it's a stunning poem in the way you strongly demonstrated the situation of being a witness of two people's relationship war... Superbly done... My prayers are their for your frnds...

Sincerely
Dhiman

[Marianne Rose]

You've obviously been there- you really get the effect of letting your heart lead you into the middle of something you can't solve, just because you want to bring some calmness and sanity to dear friends. Love leads us into battlefields sometimes, where you end up witnessing but not preventing the casualties, good intentions without complete discernment or preparation. We have a couple of days to prepare for the trip we're taking with them. Appreciate your prayers, and your compassionate review.

[Lydia Shutter]

Every relationship goes through ups and downs, but if the foundation of the marriage is deep love, two can weather any storm. No, it is not easy and some old hurts and arguments have to be pushed under that pile of clothes in the attic in order to move forward. Too often, we take on the marital problems of our friends. Their problems get solved and we are left sticking to the pan so to speak. I have learned not to get involved in other peoples' problems. You have not lived them....you can not fully understand them. Your own problems are your own...and if you truly want, you can work through them. Your poetry is strong. I like it. Lydi**

[Marianne Rose]

One of the reasons I put minefields in the title is, though I'm quite intuitive, I seem to miss the signs on the surface that I'm about to enter a minefield. It's easier to have dinner, see some theatre, etc. with friends who are couples, but Lenny and I can't turn away when we see people who have no help for something like a huge life change- like a move from one state to another. We think we're just there to help pack and drive with them when they can't do it alone- but that's where the minefields are- in the great stress of overwhelming change, especially when past hurts haven't ever been resolved. Our care for people often overwhelms our common sense. Something good will come out of it, but at first it's a bit like running into a burning building- something it's hard not to do if you know your friends are inside passing out from the smoke. Thanks for your reflections, for getting it, and for your review!