I Thought We Were Happy

I thought we were happy he said.
Because he was happy.
He had given up nothing.
He had his hunting, fishing, and trapping.

His wife had her cooking, cleaning, and housework.
Surely that was more than enough to make her happy.
In the evenings she could sew or tat a doily or something.
He kept all of his friends but resented hers.

When her friends came by he glared them down 
They left quickly, and he acted like he did not know what he did.
It did not take long for them to quit coming.
He was happy about that.

I thought we were happy he said when he found her note.
She had left, unexpectedly, and without warning.
He was angry about this; who would cook his food?
Who would wash his clothes and clean around the toilet?

He had loved his marriage and had no complaints.
What was wrong with her?
We were happy he said.
No one was listening.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

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Poet Avatar
October 1, 2021 at 4:55 PM
Bravo! Caren, many marriages are like this, but few people have the guts to end it. If he were genuinely committed to his marriage, he would have made more effort to make her feel the same way.
Krutsinger Avatar
October 2, 2021 at 2:43 PM
Hahahahaha
Hankins Avatar
October 1, 2021 at 3:07 PM
Believe me, she made the right decision. I take up for no man with that attitude. If he really loved his marriage he would have worked harder to make her love it, too.
Krutsinger Avatar
October 2, 2021 at 2:43 PM
True enough
Bauer Avatar
October 1, 2021 at 1:48 PM
Bravo! I’m sure this is the absolute truth in many marriages, but so few have the courage to walk away…
Krutsinger Avatar
October 2, 2021 at 2:43 PM
I wish they all had the courage to walk away; some need to RUN!
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