My first ex is angry with the second ex,
and I am no longer in the middle,
having stepped away from both sides,
the second one having decided
that I have been judged
and found wanting.
It is the second ex’s birthday,
and it is a big one,
a day that should be celebrated,
excesses of food and laughter,
of joy in not just daily survival.
This should be a milestone and monument.
The first ex wants to go to the beach,
build a fire in the barbecue,
put succulent meats on the grill,
crack out the digital camera,
invite friends to pose under a sign with the words emblazoned,
Happy 50th Birthday.
Then a quick e-mail with the caption:
Look what you missed.
There are things that we can’t say.
We can say birthday, but none of us can say the word we are thinking.
This is great and funny and poignant. Nicely done. Pearl
Thanks, Lucile, for submitting this poem, and thank you for considering our editorial suggestions. What I really enjoy about “The Problem with Words” is mystery of this poem, which is not brought out in words. No explanation is given as to why one is still partying with one’s first and second ex. Perhaps these are the words we can not say, nor think.
Very nice poem.
Bryan Burch, Editor, TWF
Wonderful poem Lucile. I particularly love the ending especially “look what you missed.”
It’s funny and sharp all at once.
Bravo!