Locked Up, A Conversation Poem by Curtis Johnson

Wife:"We got to talk. There are things we seem to pass over and never resolve". Husband:"What do you mean? " Wife:"It seems we can go on and on, never talking." Husband:"Talking? "he replied, pretending to be clueless.

The wife explained,"I mean about us, about our marriage, our intimacy, our relationship.I don't mean sports, politics, news, church, children, finances, the house, or the car."

In an excusatory reply, the husband said, "Honey, you know I'm not very talkative and don't have the need to talk much, but I listen to you when you speak."

Tenderly she said, "Yes, but I sometime start talking about ‘us' and you just go silent and claim that I'm attacking you.Sure, I do indicate some things that you do and don't do, and how I don't always feel your support.When I bring these things to you, I expect you to respond in words and action convincing me that you care.I'm sorry if you think I'm attacking or blaming you.I'm just trying to tell you how I feel."

Husband replies, "Yes, but I'm not sure what I can do about some of the things you relate to me. I know that I do not open up a lot about my true feelings except when you upset me.There is no doubt that my communication skills fall short when it comes to expressing my feelings or ‘heart issues'.I'm sorry that I sometimes react in anger and unintentionally hurt you.I have sincerely thought at times that you are expecting more from me than I am capable of giving.It seems I try but never seem to succeed".

Desiring clarity, the wife said, "Honey, I'm not saying that you are bad, or abusive, or unkind.I'm not saying that you do not respect or love me.It's just that I need more from you."

With deep emotion he said, "I know that you deserve more and better.When it comes to dialogue about our relationship, I think sometimes that there is something ‘locked up' inside of me.I don't know how to ‘be released' where I can 'speak from my heart' and ‘speak to your heart'."

As her eyes grew watery, she said, "I hear you honey, and I agree about ‘the lock up'. We have talked about counseling but never followed through.Occasionally, things get better only to return to the same results."

Husband:"I know honey.Many of the problematic areas were not even detected when we were raising the kids.After they grew up, we began to pay more attention to ‘us'.Wife agreed saying, "I think you are right."Husband:"O honey, it's getting late!We have to get ready for our class at church tonight".

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