L Milton Hankins Poet Dramatic Monologue

On Wearing a Murse - a Repost

I see the wary, self-satisfied leer as you approach
     because I carry on my right shoulder
     the expensive leather bag my wife gave me
     for Christmas three years ago
     when the doctor said “Don’t put stuff
     in your hip pockets!”
Stuff, it seems, forces one’s spine to shift
     In ways spines are not supposed to shift.
Your sneer tells me you think it so qu*eer
    for a man to carry a purse –
    [deep inside you may wish you had one]
My sweet, loving, caring wife has been gone
     now for three lonely years,
Only special memories I have remain, like when
I said, “Are you kidding? I can’t go around
     carrying that thing over my shoulder!”
“I do,” she said.
She packed everything I could possibly ever need 
     wallet, checkbook, toothpicks,
     fingernail clippers, pens and pencils 
Proudly she walked beside me
     while I learned
     to carry my murse
     with confidence.	
So, when I see you I smirk
     I say to myself, “What’s it to you, jerk!”

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Caren Krutsinger December 8, 2021 at 8:29 AM I think if people realized how horrible a spine problem is, they would all willingly be carrying purses - men, women, and others. L Milton Hankins December 8, 2021 at 11:54 AM You are sure right about this, Caren. It has been a life-saver for me, even though I still have lower back problems, they are somewhat alleviated by less pressure.

Tom Cunningham December 8, 2021 at 1:40 AM I was in Turkey a few years ago and everyone had them so I bought one, they are so handy. Manbags we call them here.. Tom L Milton Hankins December 8, 2021 at 8:21 AM Thanks, Tom. I generally just refer to mine as my "satchel." I think they're called many names depending on where you live.

Mystic Rose Rose December 7, 2021 at 2:49 PM lol I think there is nothing wrong with men carrying murses, I think its very smart, I agree with your wife. We are so gender based these days, I think people should not judge so easily, I am sure its a special memory of your wife that will never go away, :) L Milton Hankins December 7, 2021 at 3:07 PM Absolutely. Also, it taught me a valuable lesson, which is the biggest reason I wanted to re-post it. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, too.