It was great for a time
Sex and wine
Wine and sex
Then commitment and open and shut curtains.
The special delivery of child made the bond complete
Six months down the line
Breastfeeding was an action watched from a distance
Intimacy was a tired look
The neighbour's cat looked hot
Killed the lonely nights
Killed the commitment outright
Got to know the lawyer through rapid bank withdrawals
Weekly child visit watched over by Brutus
Bar visits watched over by the world's condemned
Special occasion became a twice-yearly treat
Birthday and Christmas, a bit of hate thrown sideways.
Then the new man.
Felt good for her.
Maybe some pressure off.
Maybe missed that lobotomy bar lecture.
Years dragged the hate forward.
Time moved on.
One day I wrote her a letter expressing my anger.
She wrote back in triplicate.
I wrote back in double triplicate.
She sent a thesis on men and asses.
Suddenly, without thinking, we had dialogue.
After a while, we moved on from the anger.
We became human again.
I actually liked writing her letters and receiving them.
We never got back together.
But the letters kept us close.
Sometimes there would be a kiss at the end.
The little bit of love I probably never deserved.
I would mention it to her in my next letter.
Even an ass deserves a solitary kiss now and again.
The bar room lawyers would probably agree.
-
Author:
Paul Bell (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: May 2nd, 2026 06:56
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 13
- Users favorite of this poem: Friendship, Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments5
Your poem seems to explore the complexities of human relationships, the difficulties of maintaining intimacy over time, and the unexpected ways people can reconnect after a rupture. Nicely written, Paul
Love and life, terrible combination.
Very curious and had some experience with such a cathartic exchange that would not have otherwise continued as interpersonal interaction. Very moving and resonant. 🙏🕊️🤩
That's why bars were invented.
Not wrong there, Paul🕊️🙏🏻
Paul, this feels like watching something fall apart and then rebuild in a completely different shape…not what it was, but still something that holds. That kind of honesty about it all really lands. Well written, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Time cures all.
Ask any lawyer, even the most adversarial relationship ends in amiable lunch together afterwards. Well done
Lawyers love couples.
Indeed where ever there is conflict they are there
This reads like bruised history turning into something unexpectedly tender, like bitterness slowly remembering it once knew how to soften.
There’s grit all through it, but also a strange, earned warmth in how it ends up circling back to connection.
Time and a Mallet cures all.
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.