Unhappy by Susan Q TomasYou are unhappy.
When you are unhappy, I am unhappy.
When I am unhappy, I am unhappy.
You are unhappy.
The last dozen times you have been unhappy,
You have been unhappy with me.
You distance your self, then say
You feel distance between us.
You say, We need to talk. I sigh.
I worry all day long that
Its going to be a long night.
I put on my running shoes.
Preparing for the marathon of pleasing you.
What did I say this time that offended you?
What did I not say that offended you so?
What did I do now? What did I fail to do?
What do I need to say? What do I need to do?
I apologize for old affronts and new affronts,
Then apologize for my assumptions that
The recent past is repeating itself.
This is the marathon we will be running.
You repeat back to me, my own words;
No one else is responsible for my happiness but me.
It is my truth, I am responsible for my own happiness.
But then, we strap on our running shoes,
As you tell me you are unhappy because of me.
It is my penance for my sins against you.
I am just happy we are enduring this together.
I am happy that we are together
working on your unhappiness.
04/10/2008 Posted on 04/10/2008 Copyright © 2024 Susan Q Tomas
Member Comments on this Poem |
Posted by Kathleen Wilson on 04/10/08 at 03:57 PM Exhaustingly good expression of an exhaustingly exhausting situation I used to know all too well. The repetition of words, sentences and "logic" is effective in the expression. The situation is so well expressed I can hardly stand to read it! It makes me too unhappy. And, I am happy I am not unhappy. But I am very glad I read your poem, and that you wrote it. |
Posted by A. Paige White on 04/10/08 at 05:55 PM I love how the very brief first stanza nails "unhappy" - left shoe, right shoe. Lovely track you've run for us. Your unhappy poem has nailed a relationship race so expertly; you made me happy. |
Posted by Mara Meade on 04/10/08 at 06:35 PM Exceptionally well-expressed, the tediousness of it all. It's on my Fav's list. |
Posted by Quinlan L Gibson on 04/11/08 at 08:09 PM Suzy this is such a profound poem. I love the repetition of the emotional states, it pounds their importance into readers. New fav+ |
Posted by Maryellen Lebeda-Parra on 04/13/08 at 04:30 AM shockingly wonderful familiarity |
Posted by W. Mahlon Purdin on 08/28/08 at 01:38 AM I love this poem. Your last line is so deeply insightful and knowing (and funny, too) and so loving, really. Off to read your library. |
Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 11/21/08 at 04:25 PM Such a well written POTD! Congrats. |
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