The Breakup

The Breakup

A Poem by papaed
"

A divorce story

"

 my daughter married a college boy.

to us their home was filled with joy.

she wanted badly to make it work,

so rarely made him look the jerk.

 

SIL would leave for work each day.

DOT, with children at home would stay.

late at night SIL would return

expecting all that he had earned.

 

with good credit they bought a home,

then refied, and refied that loan.

new house and clothes were bought with lust.

they spent and spent till they were bust.

 

credit cards were uncontrolled,

with small payments they were lulled

into believing all was swell,

as they fell into the well.

 

with new truck and SUV

they lived a life of luxury.

in her home my daughter cried,

but outside, her tears were dried.

 

all things were not as they appeared.

anger’s ugly head was reared

when SIL to parties would explore,

while DOT had needs he would ignore.

 

he went to all the football games,

bowling, baseball and golf were aims, 

he thought it OK to play

so at sports and hunting he would stay.

 

he worked and played both day and night

without concern for how uptight

his wife would get working at home

and wondering why he did roam.

 

DOT showed SIL toleration.

SIL accepted with elation.

a deadly cycle was begun.

no one knew what was to come.

 

She would call to say “I love you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know you do.

Anything else? I’ve work to do.”

his ego and pride were what he knew.

 

DOT with pain to the doctor came

her surgery to be explained.

SIL was too busy to go with her

as she was told of her cancer.

 

with Kemo floating through her brain,

of unwashed clothes he did complain.

children’s birthdays held little sway

over any chance for SIL to play.

 

too weak to rise in bed DOT lay.

“Please rub my back it hurts today.”

his response when home to stay?

“Rub mine, I’ve worked all day.”

three children and home DOT would tend.

money for bills she did not rend.

when she asked for new shoes?

“That’s for those who pay work dues.”

 

to be fair SIL played the part

learned from parents from the start,

that some women do not work

they just stay at home and shirk.

 

to be fair SIL was taught

that women at home are not

as important as men who work

... so HIS father was the real jerk.

 

looking from SIL’s point of view,

he’s worked hard to get what’s new.

DOT just cared for things at home.

what would give her the right to roam?

 

“All she does is spend my money

and deny me when I want honey.

how can I give her respect

when I don’t know what to expect?”

 

One day DOT could take no more,

but she couldn’t just walk out the door.

she went in search of someone who

would not leave her lost and blue.

 

online she defined her needs

and sifted carefully through her leads.

a local boy became her friend.

on BOF she started to depend.

 

DOT was hungry for things BOF said.

BOF and SIL could spin her head.

when compared SIL was lacking,

so she told SIL she was packing.

 

DOT’s family was lulled into believing

that all would work ‘til she was leaving.

venomous complaints and villainous guilt

made closest friends and family wilt.

 

family and friends were not easily sold

but the truth began to unfold 

when stories of selfish acts so bold 

surfaced and were finally told. 

 

with the breakup in full swing

DOT could remember no good thing.

hounding creditors stirred the pot.

of money there was not a lot.

 

pleasant words were hard to find.

separate bedrooms the mess did bind.

a credit 10 day trip to beach

proved happiness was out of reach.

 

when SIL found out about BOF

he finally knew all bets were off.

“I was always happy.”  said SIL.

of course you were, you big pill.

 

When a couple begins to slide,

both seek approval for their side.

family members are usually torn.

we chose to support out firstborn.

 

three children who would laugh and play,

assuming in their home they’d stay,

had several years of happiness,

before their lives were made a mess.

 

when a mother and father separate,

frustration often turns to hate.

it’s a dangerous, selfish game,

that no one wins and leaves some lame.

 

children raised to feel they’re loved

find themselves being shoved

between parents who are lacking rest,

and using them to show who’s best.

 

our true colors are expressed

when feeling hurt and under stress.

could her husband truly be 

the selfish monster she could see?

 

on the day the divorce took place

the hurt to all did not erase.

adults tend to rationalize.

children tend to emotionalize.

all tend to internalize.

 

creditor’s repossessed DOT’s car,

without help she couldn’t go far.

her mom and I began to bleed.

our conversion van fit her need.

 

I didn’t know I lived in a fog

til’ three children, DOT, their cat and dog

moved into our peaceful empty nest.

now we long for a good night’s rest.

 

increasing our pace in life

carries many moments of strife,

but Christmas will be filled with a love

that could only come from above.

 

we hope someday we’ll rejoice

in the results of DOT’s choice,

but for now live day-to-day

and we know we’ll find the way.

© 2008 papaed


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Reviews

The sad truth of a marriage breakdown, when reality and bills come in, combined with illness and
young children...........suddenly the crack get larger, communication dies and you, as parents have
no choice but to look out for your first born despite being thrust in to such a sad situation.........
I so feel for you, the loss of your quiet nest, the added responsibility, the worry and feeling
you have no choice but too take sides...............what else can you do? Your childn needs you..........
Really very emotional read............and very honest.Maybe more newly weds should read this to
appreciate its not all plain sailing.

on the day the divorce took place

the hurt to all did not erase.

adults tend to rationalize.

children tend to emotionalize.

all tend to internalize.

This was just so true and beautifully written. I hope by now things are settling down........


Posted 16 Years Ago


You are a blessed man, not only in your gift of writing but also in your life.

Thank you for such a wonderful read.

Dave

Posted 16 Years Ago


What a loving and heartfelt tale. I feel for you and your family having suffered through a divorce of my own. Blessings to all of you. I hope that they will all appreciate what you and your wife are doing for them in this time of turmoil. You have taken it well, in stride and you should be very proud of yourself. Wonderful expression here, the formatting is lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Light,
Siddartha


Posted 17 Years Ago


Papaed
What a great piece of poetry. I hope this is in script so you can pass it on to those little mutts. What wonderful parents you are offering your home to your loved ones. Truly a sacrifice, family is always that isn't it. Family is also what some forget make that many forget is what really is what brings us the most Joy. it is everlasting. Yes, sorrow and anger all the negative emotions come as well, they seem to be fleeting. The way a child looks into the eyes, grabs your hand and says the most brutally honest things- these are priceless jewels. I pray you will find the patients and strength to continue the example of goodness these children including your little girl so desperately need at this time in their lives. Thank you for the review you gave me and pointing out this write. You are a very good man. -Roxy

My favorite lines are:

emotions and needs
act out
oscillate
create havoc

Posted 17 Years Ago


I enjoyed this insight into your life. Again you draw from reality very effectively and execute the material in a way that makes it accessible and interesting to the outsider. The poem is dynamic in the way it moves from the tidiness and order -- which I envied -- of the empty nest to the bustle and business the newcomers bring, and then on again at the end to draw a lesson for us all for tomorrow. The divorce court part is sad of course, but there is joy and love and life in having three generations in one house. Maybe this is what we all miss in some way, as the generations can support each other and give purpose and comfort in many ways. Of course if you want to sit and write poetry it may now be more difficult, but on the other hand you may also have more material to hand! It is great that you take such a positive view of this change in your circumstances, which shows open-mindedness. Many might not, but that is their loss. You may have to write a poem or two for the grandchildren to keep them occupied, or even run a family poetry reading with prizes for the child bard of the family!

Posted 17 Years Ago


perhaps we embrace it because we have no choice. Like the greatness that is thrust upon some...there is truth and an eloquent 'resignation' to this piece. well done.

Posted 17 Years Ago


I hope you're right, but I fear you're wrong as I believe the world is headed in the opposite direction to where you're going...unfortunately the family unit is broken down and not given much in the way of importance in the scheme of things, just like every other worthwhile thing in society, it is trampled and spat on because it should be the norm, but many think that the idea of an extended family is terminally ordinary. What they don't realise is that without the families we are a doomed species...sad.
Thanks Papa for your insight and for the true soul you are to have written such a wonderful piece about something that I am passionate about...
Helen :)

Posted 17 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

There was a time when extended families lived under one roof--and they didn't have magic little pills to make us like people better. You have been given an opportunity to spend time with your grandchildren that some people would give their right arm for. I wonder that you don't go crazy though with all the noise and mess and confusion that follow children and dog and cats around.

Posted 17 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


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Added on February 12, 2008

Author

papaed
papaed

Kansas City, MO



About
no erudite pontifications, no complex extrapolations no intentional hurtful lies, just simple age-wise aliteration and prose, of a man who's in the throes of living day to day from his head down to.. more..

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