Arrangement

Sometimes relationships can be strange and one-sided!

You say I have no rights;

where is the right in that?

Am I merely a bystander,

a watcher,

a disenfranchised,

disaffected observer

of my own life

as it passes me

in the night?

Yes you hold the deeds

to our abode,

you alone allow me

the dignity

of a roof over

my sorry Catholic head.

But does that give you the right

to judge me,

to stand upon

that flimsy moral cloud

and wound my flesh

with slight upon slight?

You don't even offer me

comforts of the flesh

so what is it

you give to me?

 

28/09/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[gram linski]

hahaha a monastic prison called love, we will not be having sex and you are not allowed to wank, when did I sign up for celibacy

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Got it in one gram! It is called marriage lol! Many thanks.

[wordman]

blues with all the trimmings

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Now where did that turkey go?!
Thanks Ron.

[wordman]

you`re welcome

[Eilis]

Relationships are strange. Your poem made me think of my own position as a partner who stays at home while the other works to provide financial support. There’s a degree of guilt and worry attached to the situation as a result of a certain power dynamic that seems to naturally follow.

Having someone holding that power over your head would be terrible. I know there are many relationships like this and it’s awful for both parties because it’s difficult to develop or maintain intimacy in such a competitive environment.

It’s a sad dynamic you paint here, John. But, so true to life. Not easy to read.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I am so sorry you relate to this. And yes not an easy dynamic especially without the closeness intimacy allows. Many thanks for reading and commenting Eilis.

[Chris Shaw]

Packs a punch this one does John. I can imagine these words being uttered with a raised voice while tempers were flared. Religion and money don't make good bed partners.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed so Chris. Glad to say no religion was hurt in the writing of this piece lol. Many thanks.

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning John. Miserable day today.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Sure is, driving rain here in the Midlands. Glad I got my hazel hedge trimmed yesterday. Full sun tomorrow just to tease us as it is for one day only!

[Chris Shaw]

Well let's look forward to it. Sheet rain here too and some flooding.

[Coyote Poetry]

The questions asked in these words. My grandfather said never discuss religion or politics, if you want to keep friends.
"You don't even offer me
comforts of the flesh
so what is it
you give to me?"
I did like the above lines. Honest and direct. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you for reading and commenting Coyote John.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome John.

[kentuck14]

John,
I'm not sure who your argument (arrangement) is in this piece. Is it God? The RCC? The world? Judgmental persons? Must admit this is a strong piece. Strong emotions . . . strong complaint. Without knowing it we are in some kind of relationship with evil . . . often the victim I'm afraid.
T

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A woman perhaps Tom? One of independance who has her own means and with whom the protagonist has chosen to live. Many thank yous for reading and inquiring.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

fascinating what you say in this poem...i have felt like all of these you have mentioned...all of them at one time or another.
you often write me in your poems...even if it is incidental.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

It is sad that you can relate to this one Jacob but I guess we use our experiences, firsthand or otherwise, to charge our typing digits! Many thank yous.