I always believed in
Togetherness—
To do things,
Regardless of personal interest,
Together,
Because together we were one—
Not a pun—
But how I thought
It was supposed to run.
So, I sacrificed some,
A lot,
Not because I thought it was fun,
But because, hon,
I wanted to be together,
Never tethered but still “in love”,
No matter how weathered.
Since, I have come to learn
That such devotion
Is a third-degree burn.
Support lost lest interested.
I leave alone drinking your silent spurn.
And you know I’m pathetic,
That I’ll return,
A dog wagging tail for treats
Only to find an empty bag
And the back door.
Yes, this ol’ dog
Will return for more,
His bark a yelp,
Reduced to a puppy’s squeal—
Pulled too soon from the teat,
Nourishment gone—can’t feel
Anything neglect didn’t reveal.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
April 25, 2025
East Stroudsburg, PA
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: April 26th, 2025 07:47
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 15
- Users favorite of this poem: arqios, Teddy.15, GenXer Shamrocker ☘️, Cheeky Missy
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Comments8
For me it was a tale(s even) between my dreams last night. LOL. Quite a cheeky pup that knows what they want even when the master slumbers.... now there is intimacy like no other.🙏🏻🕊️
Indeed! Thank you so much for your time, your thoughts, and your fave, my friend. Very much appreciated! Here's to being cheeky pups! 🤣🐾💔🌑🙏
What a marvelous poem of that tether that holds so many of us to a relationship. Why? Because that is the way it is meant to be. It is the way that it has always been and so normal is what we seek. It feels comfortable somehow, as if change is threatening. Very nice Tristan
Indeed. That is very much the truth, Soren. Very much so. Thank you so much for your time and thoughts. Always anticipated and appreciated, my dear friend. 🐾💔🌑🙏
Good write T.
Thank you, O! Much appreciated, my friend! 🐾💔🌑🙏
The emotions and visuals here make me relive a part of my younger self, I've been reading a lot of Sylvia Plath who I regards a friend now, as she has truly given me a light of inspiration, your poetry is as exquisite as ever. 🌹
Wow! Thank you, Teddy. The funny thing is, I have Sylvia beside me right now. She's a friend indeed — a brilliant poet and soul. I am truly glad the poem delivered, and having Sylvia's name mentioned in a comment on it humbles me deeply. Thank you so much, my friend. Your time, your feedback, and your fave are much appreciated. 🐾💔🌑🙏
Oh what motivated ye, o poor impoverished one? Fear of total loneliness? Masochistic tendencies? A great portrait of someone (because I doubt that is really you, Tristan) with dependency issues.
Thank you for engaging with the poem, Dave. I hope all has been well, my friend. I've missed you.
As for your analysis, as I see it, pain, abandonment, and neglect can be expressed without it necessarily meaning there’s a dependency issue underneath. We are social creatures — we depend on others for emotional, physical, and spiritual support. That’s not weakness; it’s part of being human.
Only through deeper context can one really know whether someone is clinging for validation, or whether they have given everything and simply found themselves neglected. There’s a difference between the two — and this poem simply gives voice to the wound.
Again, my friend, thank you so much for your time and thoughts. Hope all is well. 🐾💔🌑🙏
Thanks for your reasoned response, Tristan.
I wonder if we might be talking on two different but parallel levels here. You at a feelings level, an examination of the deep torn emotions which are involved in the rejection by someone you have an attachment and deep love (what ever that might be) for, while I in my hard headed (I admit it!) and what I consider to be practical way, have in the back (or perhaps front…) of mind the best way to extract ?you? from an intolerable situation.
As an example of my mindset, noting mention of Sylvia Plath above, I can claim never to have read her because her life seems so stuffed up that I could not believe she would tell me anything of value to me…
I’m grateful for your reply, believe me.
Thank you, Dave. I truly appreciate your honesty and the thoughtful engagement here. I can see where you’re coming from, and I’m grateful for the conversation as well. To me, dialog is the only way we gain understanding in any regard on anything. Thanks again, my friend. 🐾💔🌑🙏
Erm, that picture's a bit dark there. LOL.
Um...yeah. I know. "Turn on the lights". 💡 🤣 Well, today's picture got a little closer. 🤣
Absolutely love your work! Very well written!
Thank you, my friend. I am humbled and know I love yours as well. Thank you so much for your time, your feedback, and support. Glad the poem delivered. 🐾💔🌑🙏
Aww, these days where it's trendy to divorce, what a winner this heartbreaking number is in the field of castoffs. Beautifully rendered with exquisite imagery and a wrenching poignancy, thank you so very much for sharing.
Truth on the trends. Thank you so much, my dear friend, for your read and thoughts. 🐾💔🌑🙏
My pleasure, you're welcome, dear friend.
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