As A Husband Poem by RIC BASTASA

as a husband
i go for the old ways
of my forefathers,

i keep this wound
and will not allow
my wife to
take a look,

unless i allow it.

when i married her,
i promised
her only the joys
of my company

i have no right
to pin her down
or hold her too
tightly to instill
the pain

of my own hands.
i will only share
my happiness,

sadness is not
welcome in the
nest of my
dreams with her.

are you afraid?

you must be.
I expect the
same from
you. Keep the
pain yourself.
Lick the pus
of your own
wounds.
Heal yourself.
Take the
privacy of your
suffering.

Unless you ask
me to touch you,
I will. I will always
be there.

Just ask.