til death do us part
One
of our friends from Virginia, Kay Middleton, brings us a choice item
today! Men: don't be scared. At first read it might seem like you're
being teased (and, I have to admit, every time I read it, I swear that
line is going to say: "I hear women ... say they never expected the
bastard to live that long" and I'm shocked every time it doesn't!). But
take a second glance and you might just find the laugh is being had at
the expense of the ladies. Read it and tell me what you think. And then
make sure you read more of Kay's evocative poetry both here (Moving in) and at her web site (be sure to check for info on her recent publications—woo hoo!).
til death do us part
By Kay Middleton
life is so long now until death
us do part seems so far away
when standing at the altar
I hear women married forty,
fifty, plus years say they never expected—
too long to be married to one man
they say. if it is a joke, it is
a bitter one I hear that
in their voices the bitter joke
as they flip it off their tongues
and laugh together these old hens
til death do us part
By Kay Middleton
life is so long now until death
us do part seems so far away
when standing at the altar
I hear women married forty,
fifty, plus years say they never expected—
too long to be married to one man
they say. if it is a joke, it is
a bitter one I hear that
in their voices the bitter joke
as they flip it off their tongues
and laugh together these old hens
Posted by Annmarie at 9/24/2009 11:44 PM 
Categories: today's words
Tags: old hens marriage death Kay Middleton
Categories: today's words
Tags: old hens marriage death Kay Middleton
Oh My! I know these old hens--everyone does--can see them sit at kitchen tables, on verandahs, in the shade of shedding maples or weeping willows as their rueful laughter rings and their own company keeps them warm.
Reply to this
"...the bitter joke/as they flip it off their tongues" What a great set of lines!
Reply to this