Words of Love

She reached her hand across their marriage bed, It’d been a stand-off for so many years; She prayed their love had not grown cold and dead, His answer could allay her deepest fear: The love for him she held in unshed tears. Afraid that they had lost the life they shared, A life of which he once had spoke with cheer: She prayed he’d speak those words to prove he cared. He turned to her as though to speak, instead He turned away to face the wall most near, Her hand still out, the tears so long unshed Fell from her eyes, uncertainty made clear: The hope that lay inside now faded here. Her heart was pierced, her need for him was bared, She felt the pain as knives, so sharp and sheer; She prayed he’d speak those words to prove he cared. For love to bloom, then know it must be fed And heed these words, your heart upon them wear, For marriage needs much more than daily bread, Think not that words of love are not held dear, For hearts will break when words to silence veer. She lay upon her marriage, boned and pared, She prayed he’d speak the words she longed to hear; Although she now knew that he did not care. Submitted March 24, 2019 Strength Through Adversity Poetry Contest Sponsored by Gregory R. Barden [I wrote this poem in 2010 during a time of extreme emotional turmoil in my personal life. This is a reflection of how uncertain fear blossomed into certain awareness which lead to acceptance and the courage to change.]