Cold But Sentimental Poem by David McLansky

I'd risen from my basement cell;
I climbed the stairs and felt a chill;
A change in household atmosphere?
But what or why? I could not tell;

The night before
I sensed a thaw,
Her mood was almost tranquil;
I watched tv,
She read the ads;
For this I was quite thankful;

By myself in living room;
She at the dining table,
Protected by her long nightgown,
She clipping coupon labels.

I watched an English mystery
Of murder and betrayal,
And felt the calm of a truce
As she labored at the table.

She went to bed without a word
Shutting off the lights;
I lingered on to watch tv
Distracted half the night.

This morning war renewed again,
She ignored my breakfast presence;
The children stirring in their rooms,
The air again was tense.

She left for work without a word...
Some reminders to the boys;
I watched tv and heard the news
I picked up cups and toys,

The kids hugged me and left for school
I slowly washed the dishes;
And then the radio expressed
Valentine Day wishes;

I remembered then her silver gown
Beneath the chandelier;
A light lit in my well-cursed soul
Morning bright and clear;

I laughed to think
Her heart so cold
Her soul so elemental,
That on this loving holiday
She still was sentimental.