A Marriage in Question
- Alice Carroll
- May 15
- 1 min read
Updated: May 16
A Questionable Marriage
My spouse and primary caregiver howls,
‘What am I going to do with you?”
“Is this question rhetorical or a threat?”
How can a marriage that began so great
Fall apart and disintegrate?
How can he feel in control, and know just what to do,
When even modern medicine has no clue.
How can he leave me with strangers, to keep me out of danger?
For every move, do I need to ask permission?
Can we accept our new roles and limitations?
Has PD brought out the worst in both of us?
Are we just a fall away?
Am I just a fall away from losing my freedom?
Is he just a fall away from being free from me?
First time I read this, I cried, ( mind you I cried, watching the Olympic games last time they were held not sure if it’s the P.D. or if I’m getting soft in my old age )It’s definitely touched something inside me. I think we are all teetering on the edge at times, and the thought of being alone, having to go through all this on your own. very scary, well written and well done. Hope things work out
This poem definitely struck a nerve in some readers. Thanks for the editing tips, Martin.
Your words cut to the core Alice, I've seen how my father acts with my mum, above all else he's a 'head in the sand' attitude, but it's more complex than that, control brings comfort for him, even if it's illusionary, his entire life he's had the top job, head of the family, got worries, issues, talk to dad!
But now, it's the opposite. It's not loss of power, it is loss of purpose.
We must all remember, even those closest to us, can only help carry our burden for so long, until they need rest. My father snaps and snarls, his face flashing what? Anger, hatred, no, to me it is frustration and the hurt he feels at being…
Well done! Though I can still 'hear' you reading it!
I like the way you've sharpened this from the earlier draft. It makes the point more impactful