Trapped betwixt the woods and swamp
the truck is broken, stopped
like a love now stumped, bumped
tenderness began this mess
or lack of it, long after white dress
no more caress, relations either
bi-yearly, except for something other
allowed, but now an addict’s problem
eyes on screen, just can’t stop ‘em
no soft words, just anger mumbled
talking once calm, now hearing fumbled
you dare advise, when yours is marred?
Decisions she must make, but stuck
like his sputtering, stuttering truck
cares enough to strive, revive,
with tender tries
this broken thing
before love stings.
– Sandra Johnson, June 25, 2022
Tenderness Lost is descriptive and so heart wrenching! Using the stuck truck gives this poem depth! Well done!
Thanks so much! I appreciate your comments.
Thanks. It’s sad to say but it happens. I appreciate your kind words. Review some more and I’ll do more of yours.
Wonderful poem! I like the way you use both the sounds and associations of words to create a flow that has a tumbling feel to it. I also really like both lines where you mention the truck: “the truck is broken, stopped / like a love now stumped” and “Decisions she must make, but stuck / like his sputtering, stuttering truck.” This was both beautiful use of language and great storytelling!
Thanks – it was hard to write but worth it.
I love this and how descriptive it. I can picture it all so perfectly in my head.
Thanks- I don’t usually do picture prompts, but this one just called to me.