The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Mon 6/5/06)

[RetroLounge]

What I Would Do

If my wife were to have an affair,
I would walk to my toolbox in the garage,
Take from it my 12" flathead screwdriver
And my hickory-handle hammer,
The one that helped me build three redwood fences,
And I would hammer out the pins
In all the door hinges in the house,
And I would pull off all the doors
And I would stack them in the backyard.
And I would empty all the sheets from the linen closet,
And especially the flannels we have slept between for
nineteen winters;
And I would empty all the towels, too,
The big heavy white towels she bought on Saturdays at
Target,
And the red bath towels we got for our wedding,
And which we have never used;
And I would unroll the aluminum foil from its box,
And carry all the pots and pans from the cupboards to the
backyard,
And lay this one long sheet of aluminum foil over all our
pots and pans;
And I would dump all the silverware from the drawer
Onto the driveway; and I would push my motorcycle over
And let all its gas leak out,
And I would leave my Jeep running at the curb
Until its tank was empty or its motor blew up,
And I would turn the TV up full-blast and open all the
window;
And I would turn the stereo up full-blast,
With Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on it,
Schiller's "Ode to Joy," really blasting;
And I would strip our bed;
And I would lie on our stripped bed;
And I would see our maple budding out the window.
I would see our maple budding out our window,
The hummingbird feeder hanging from its lowest bough.
And my cat would jump up to see what was the matter
with me.
And I would tell her. Of course, I would tell her.
From her, I hold nothing back.

Marc Petersen


********************

RL

If you have a request for a certain Poet, post their name in the thread and I will find a poem by them and post it...

if you want to see some of my poetry, see the blog at:
http://www.myspace.com/retropaul

[miss_american_pie]

1. I had to read it twice

Things aren't always as simple as they seem. :hi:

[RetroLounge]

5. That's for sure...

:hi:

RL

[miss_american_pie]

7. Hello

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

12. How you doing?

:D

RL

[RevCheesehead]

2. God damn, that resonates.

Especially the understanding cat. :hug:

[RetroLounge]

4. Can you say that?

no bolt of lightning?

:D

RL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear RetroLounge.......

This poem fits you so damn perfectly, that I had to re-read it just to make sure you hadn't written it.....

My heart breaks for yours.......:hug:

[RetroLounge]

6. I should have written it...

Except i don't have a cat...

:hug:

RL

[lizziegrace]

8. You need a cat

they're terrific therapy.

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

9. Alergies...

I'm a dog person...

RL

[lizziegrace]

10. Opposite for me

I can't be in the same room with a dog. Allergies are terrible. I'm okay with the cats.

I like talking to the cats. They never tell my secrets.

:)

[RetroLounge]

11. I like talking to dogs

They look like they care, cats don't even bother to fake interest...

RL

[lizziegrace]

13. My "old man" cat seems to

Gracie could care less, however.

[NNadir]

14. I know this poem fits your life, and no offense, because I love that you..

...do this, but it's not for me, this poem.

I know I am not immune from the possibility of such a thing, but neither do I expect to face it. Were it to happen, were my wife to have an affair, were I even to lose her to another, all I could say would be how much I have loved her, how free she made me, and how she made my boys such fine beings and to acknowledge the love she's so freely given me before.

It seems so sad, so alone, so controlled, this poem...and no, it's not for me.

[RetroLounge]

15. Actually, it doesn't fit my life either.

I'm sitting here at her (our) kitchen table, just gave the kids baths, we made dinner and ate together as a family, and she just went grocery shopping while I stay here at the house with the kids.

When she comes home, I'll help put the groceries away.

Then I will go home to my apartment.

Nothing gets broken, nothing burned, nothing smashed...

:hi:

RL

[NNadir]

16. Good then. I'm glad it's not so dramatic.

You're cool. A good dad, a supportive ex.

Congratulations on having so much class.

[RetroLounge]

17. Believe me, having this much class is not like me.

I have no idea where it comes from, but my nature is to throw china and break lamps.

I just don't feel like it anymore...

God's grace? Could be...

RL

[lizziegrace]

18. Some grace

and your children. My ex stays here when he comes to see our daughter. (he gets the guest room) I don't have the energy or the inclination to fight or throw things. I did enough when I found out I was the very last to know.

But you're right, I don't know where it comes from either. I just thank God it came from somewhere. :hug:

[NNadir]

19. You are doing the right thing.

For this, you will always have honor for you children.

I recall your tale - it's a tough one - and I am impressed with how you have managed to remain decent and full. You deserve love and you will have it, friend, as we always admire those who rise above themselves.

More peace to you.

Thank you, by the way, for the many nights of poems. I look forward to them.