A Woman Cannot Always Leave

If a man is hurt by love
he just up and leaves -
becomes a recluse
Finds a shack somewhere 
by a pond in the woods

But a woman cannot always leave
she has her family
her pride of porcelain
She tends the stove for them
cooks over the heat
her thoughts directed inward
From December to December she tends them
A recluse in her heart


Come December
 when a pond somewhere
 is covered in ice 
an old man remembers
 he laments his days
 as a recluse with just a stove for heat
the memory of her never leaves him
a memory  as icy-cool
 as her porcelain
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
April 17, 2014 at 9:51 PM
wowowow, this is really good, Suz. Long time no see. Sure wish you would visit me more often. This one is so full of truth too. The woman just can't think to pack up and leave. Too many things are part of her world. And often the man makes it impossible for her. I have seen this so many times!!
Pen Avatar
April 4, 2014 at 7:13 AM
Good poem
Loving Iii Avatar
April 3, 2014 at 5:00 PM
seems i read it before but it was meant for today. i was wronged yesterday and I'm thinking of leaving.
Delaney Avatar
April 3, 2014 at 9:19 PM
Sometimes just saying you are leaving shifts the power...but be sure it is you she will miss and not what you can do for her.
Loving Iii Avatar
February 26, 2014 at 7:21 AM
I like the green eye. I'm looking to see if. .. well checking your poems this morning.
Watson Avatar
February 1, 2014 at 3:51 AM
I'm a bachelor and used to my own company but many of my mates are married and I have asked them what they would deem to be the hardest thing to cope with in marriage . Particularly after a row . Silence seems to be pretty much a universal answer . I love silence and can't see it myself but the guys seem pretty genuine. Superb poem. Thank you
Delaney Avatar
February 2, 2014 at 1:33 AM
I love silence too. Must be a trait poets need. LOL
Sirak Avatar
January 31, 2014 at 6:58 AM
This makes one think. To be a recluse in actuality or only inside. Both versions are incredibly sad.
A  Avatar
January 28, 2014 at 8:02 PM
Suz, deep...SKAT
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