Victor Buhagiar Poet Free verse

Married to Progress

Conflicting ideas:
He will have his say.

Twenty years of marriage.  All in vain.  
He insists that his factory is supreme,
His waste dispersed devastation everywhere.
 
Angry and depressed, she leaves
despite the doctor's orders
to rest after a big meal.

Reminiscing on how things have changed,
embarrassed and ashamed,
She traces her steps towards
The polluted stream.

No feast of senses here.  Dead fish 
Float on the surface, and no bird sings.

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Bj Legros Kelley March 24, 2026 at 5:18 PM My daughter, after 15 years of a terrible marriage, is now divorced. He was engaged to another woman before the final decree, a week after he moved out on my daughter. Now after living with the new lady, her house has been sold, she is broke. She is working and he is not.... another wife, another victim. I wonder how many will fall into his trap.

CayCay Godwin March 15, 2026 at 10:10 PM Wow, you banged me around pretty good, never to be soothed. Well done.

Paige Hind March 12, 2026 at 11:46 AM This is deep. People not working through their what their senses are, sad

Kai Michael Neumann March 12, 2026 at 1:26 AM Wow. As I am going through divorce after almost twenty years of marriage, this poem speaks to me very powerfully. Now, it is me who needs to float on the surface, very much alive and singing to myself. Thank you for sharing and kind wishes, Kai

Eve Roper March 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM I wish people would learn for every action there is a negative reaction

Valsa George March 11, 2026 at 9:59 PM Some are so adamant. They won't listen to sensible talk and continue their wicked ways. Money is more important to them than preserving the surroundings clean... ! Very sad.

Anne Winter March 11, 2026 at 6:58 PM How sad this poem is :(

Joseph P. DiMino March 11, 2026 at 10:36 AM The world would be perfect without us. Apparently, we are not going to learn. No big picture victories...we must be our own victory. Then we have not failed.

Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh March 10, 2026 at 9:28 PM Superb ! Like it

Evelyn Judy Buehler March 10, 2026 at 8:52 PM It's sad for our planet that so many fail to see the big picture. Your masterfully written tale, shows that progress means different things to different people. Very best wishes. :)

Joseph May March 10, 2026 at 3:42 PM The factory is supreme in pollution

Heidi Sands March 10, 2026 at 2:16 PM Wow ...it sounds like the toxins that hit my last home. Well done :)

Andrea Dietrich March 10, 2026 at 9:35 AM A very dark one. What metaphors!

Tom Cunningham March 10, 2026 at 6:48 AM Sad the way things are going with no thought for the environment and the pollution it causes. Tom

Kim Rodrigues March 10, 2026 at 6:09 AM Emotive write. Those first two lines show a struggle. Lines 7&8 are interesting!

Sara Kendrick March 10, 2026 at 5:56 AM Sad that this is still happening in the world. So much of the manufacturing industry has gone to countries that don't have strict EPA regulations so the manufacturers can make things at lower prices and the destruction is continuing. I like the approach to the very UpToDate topic and your way of getting the point across. Thank you for sharing it with us. Sara K

Ghairo Daniels March 10, 2026 at 2:42 AM À straight forward account of collapse ~ all things change. You’ve sketched it evocatively with dead fish and “no birds sing”. ThkU for sharing an underbelly, Vics. The title really makes us reflect on what “progress” is. Have a beautiful day, Cyber friendie.

Beryl Edmonds March 9, 2026 at 3:56 PM Victor, it’s sad when a marriage goes wrong, but that’s life, it happens. A good read… Beryl - See Soupmail

Paula Goldsmith March 9, 2026 at 12:56 PM Your "Married to Progress" is a wonderful yet sad write. I enjoyed reading. "Good Luck" If for a contest. Have a blessed day writing away............