Showing What Is True [revised] Poem by Margaret Alice Second

Is it difficult for men to treat their life partners
with kindness and respect – why hide love behind
façades of frustration and anger, and why must I
swallow my own irritation such that I cannot
communicate

I know your love’s intact, you strive hard ensuring
superb futures for the kids; but angry retorts and
brusque remarks erode old-fashioned decorum;
do men believe once they have a wife they need
never act respectfully again

As for romance, though only a fantasy it makes
it easier to face the grind of life; so why do you
need to try and break down the last vestiges of
such lovely concepts – simply because she who
obeys was inept and unwise to marry you?

Sharing emotion disgusts you such I have to
play a role; if I demur you explode, I aver most
humbly to your direction, become expert in a
game played by your rules, no room left for
natural devotion as I concentrate

On following His Highness’ rules made for his
own freedom, robbing me of my mine and then
asking why I’m so uptight – you’ll never guess,
will you? I know you love me, but a life without
courtesy and deference leaves no room

For showing what is true…


[ORIGINAL: ]

Why is it so difficult for men to treat their life partners
with kindness and respect - why do you have to hide
your love behind a façade of frustration and anger –
why do I have to swallow my own anger to such
an extent that I cannot communicate

I know your love is intact and you go to great lengths
to ensure a wonderful future for the kids; but brusque
remarks and angry retorts simply continue the loss of
old-fashioned decorum; why do men believe they
need never act respectfully again

Once they have a wife? As for romance, though it is
only a fantasy, it makes it easier to face the grind of
life, why try to break down the last vestiges of such
a lovely concept simply because she was so inept
and unwise as to get married to you

Why does sharing emotion disgust you so, I have to
play a role, whenever I demur, you explode, then I
defer most humbly to your direction and become
an expert at playing the game according to your
rules, no room left for natural devotion

As I concentrate on following the rules His Highness
made for his own freedom, robbing me of my freedom
and then asking why I am so uptight - you will never
guess, will you: I know you love me, but a life with-
out a little courtesy leaves no room

For showing what is true…