He awaited the news, a blistering blitzkrieg
On his emotions. But then recovering,
As does the pedestrian who is struck by
A careless driver who ignored the protective yellow lines
Of the crosswalk, he picked himself up brushed off his clothes
And continued on his way. He attempted to comprehend
The meaning of the word and its consequences.
“Sever” she says. How do you sever something that is inseverible?
In today’s world, severing a relationship can be likened to
Penetrating melted butter. It cuts and spreads effortlessly.
In the supermarket new products are demoed, quickly consumed
And replace their predecessor instantly, No warning,
No red flashing lights, No descending half barriers.
But like the water balloon which is thrown
(Drenching the face of an unwary spectator)
Immediately arouses the groggy eyed observer,
The news awakened him and compelled him
To ask the question...Why? Was it me? Was it her?
After recovering from the ‘Breaking news’ he pondered,
Attempting to answer those questions...
What would cause my wife to consider such
A life-altering event? Their marriage
Had most certainly not been one
Deserving the award of ‘the perfect marriage’,
But still, in spite of their differences
They had endured, continued on,
Overcome weaknesses and offenses made
And their relationship had evolved
Into something steady and long-lasting.
He began to ponder,
Reflect and deliberate...Just recently
He had criticized her for her laxness
In keeping the house as clean and organized
As he thought it should be. Not long ago he complained
That she was late in making him breakfast.
He failed to recognize and praise her for
Her support when he was going through difficulties...
The death of his father, the loss of employment
When his company downsized, the care she administered to him
When he was very, very sick.
As he reflected, he realized that instead giving her the support
And the recognition she deserved he was criticizing her into oblivion,
She just couldn’t take it anymore. The word ‘sever’ or divorce,
After it was said, also caused her mind to stir. What kind
Of a wife was she? Had she done some things less worthy
Of being the ‘perfect wife’? She thought of times
Where she had like him, failed to express gratefulness
For his never-ending faithfulness as a provider for her
And the family, for his excellence as a father, for repairing
And fixing anything needing fixing in the home.
In short, she wanted to divorce him for some
Of the same things she was doing or not doing.
Hmmmmmm...
After reflecting, they sat down together
In the kitchen and reviewed and shared their thoughts
With each other. Both now, admitting their negligence
In treating each other with gratefulness
And with the recognition they deserved. She backed off,
Regretting her precipitation in making the announcement
And they began to talk reconciling their differences
And their neglect in displaying, both vocally, and in action
Their acceptance and appreciation of each other.
After some deliberation, they both realized their mistake
And vowed to do better.
That ‘sever’ turned into ‘ever’ as in ever-lasting.
They once again made a commitment to vocalize their love,
Appreciation and commitment, to each other. To forgive,
And then live! Live in harmony, in hope for a better future,
To live worthy of receiving the Lord’s blessing
In their lives individually and together as a pair.
Their, or better said, her decision
To petition a division resulted in a
Multiplication of love, of dedication,
Of understanding, of commitment.
Oh, that we could all ‘sever’ ourselves
From that which divides
And multiply that which
Unites, which brings together
--c aaron