Growth Apart

A poem reflecting the start of a family drifting apart

It’s hard to watch a constant shatter

It’s hard to watch your parents drift apart

They have their unsung grievances

And occasional explosions

Until one day

They shut down

 

Their workdays get longer

You get older

You try to turn a blind eye

But there’s still that sinking feeling

Deep in your chest

The one you get

When you know something is wrong

 But nobody has told you.

 

You ask in curiosity

Don’t press for the answer

Because you know

It will be heartbreaking

 

Then there are some moments

When they laugh

And smile

And you just want to point out

“See, this moment never would have happened

if you two had split”

 

But you don’t bring that up

Because the bad times were the bad times,

Bnd these are the good times

And you want them to stay good

There are no signs of abuse

Only deceptive signs of love in the home

 

 

 Mom and Dad aren’t the only ones working late anymore