YRKB
11-20-2019, 10:48 AM
The Third Wife
He's much older and wiser now...
so why is it her sense, somehow,
his proposal was just to placate,
put her head at rest that his was straight
and his third attempt would be the charm;
steady, certain, sure and calm...
None of which she ever feels,
this first-time bride of 31,
her mind loops now in constant wheels
that churn inside her, on and on.
She determines to be 'Wife About Town'
because he had never once denied
that with working so hard he liked his social rounds
when the end of the five day week arrived.
They dress up well, hold court by the bar,
with all his city friends -
the centre of the world seems to be where they are,
his charismatic stories never end.
Rounds, drink after drink,
she accepts with pride -
hoping all around them think
she fits well at his side,
laughing on cue -
with care she's not so hands on,
excusing herself to
ensure no make-up has run.
The hours grow longer -
her feet start to ache,
the group thins out slightly...
and most are a state.
Her husband's energy remains, as ever,
unmatched -
she loves him,
she LOVES him,
but needs to head back.
In the heels her soles burn,
she shifts her weight now to stand -
waiting for an opportunity
to ask about his plans.
Is he tired too? Hungry -
should they eat on the way home?
1.30am turns to 3.00
and her thoughts remain her own.
When the shutters come down -
and last orders are called-
her dazed husband looks round
where his sentence has stalled..
as if seeing her suddenly,
he squeezes her chin
and with a slight slur, says:
'...Look how well she's doing.'
Once at home she helps him up the stairs,
he sinks on the bed then in his clothes,
turns on his front and from him last she hears:
'You do nights out with us boys better than anyone I know.'
At first it feels like all she needs,
she lays beside him in darkness with a smile -
but then the wheels start churning
and it fades after a while.
Copyright Yafeu-Khamisi Rodway-Brown
He's much older and wiser now...
so why is it her sense, somehow,
his proposal was just to placate,
put her head at rest that his was straight
and his third attempt would be the charm;
steady, certain, sure and calm...
None of which she ever feels,
this first-time bride of 31,
her mind loops now in constant wheels
that churn inside her, on and on.
She determines to be 'Wife About Town'
because he had never once denied
that with working so hard he liked his social rounds
when the end of the five day week arrived.
They dress up well, hold court by the bar,
with all his city friends -
the centre of the world seems to be where they are,
his charismatic stories never end.
Rounds, drink after drink,
she accepts with pride -
hoping all around them think
she fits well at his side,
laughing on cue -
with care she's not so hands on,
excusing herself to
ensure no make-up has run.
The hours grow longer -
her feet start to ache,
the group thins out slightly...
and most are a state.
Her husband's energy remains, as ever,
unmatched -
she loves him,
she LOVES him,
but needs to head back.
In the heels her soles burn,
she shifts her weight now to stand -
waiting for an opportunity
to ask about his plans.
Is he tired too? Hungry -
should they eat on the way home?
1.30am turns to 3.00
and her thoughts remain her own.
When the shutters come down -
and last orders are called-
her dazed husband looks round
where his sentence has stalled..
as if seeing her suddenly,
he squeezes her chin
and with a slight slur, says:
'...Look how well she's doing.'
Once at home she helps him up the stairs,
he sinks on the bed then in his clothes,
turns on his front and from him last she hears:
'You do nights out with us boys better than anyone I know.'
At first it feels like all she needs,
she lays beside him in darkness with a smile -
but then the wheels start churning
and it fades after a while.
Copyright Yafeu-Khamisi Rodway-Brown