I can't believe I let you kiss me with that mouth
Now that I know where it's been
Don't look shocked
Don't say you have no idea what I am talking about
Because I just bumped into your best friend
He confirmed my suspicions-
You've been sneaking around with her...
Nothing profound; I had my inklings
But my stomach sank when he said this
"Back when he and I were together"
Providing intimate details
I knew his words were true
He spoke frankly; I was appalled
In his defense
He said you told him you came clean
With me
That I already knew
You are a liar. You are a cheater.
Hiding behind your kids and me
Two daughters, ages two and two months
Married, we are married
But we won't see our first wedding anniversary
No, because you've got to go
RIGHT NOW
Grab your things, whatever you can carry
I don't want explanations
I don't want an apology
This can't be fixed; I'm unwilling to try
Pack your bags
Don't fight me on this
I can't look at you anymore
I HATE you, hell, I don't even know you
Just pack your shit and leave
Go. Leave me alone. Get out!
***
Author's Note: My final entry in the Say It Plainly challenge is based on a real-life experience. It's snippets of an actual conversation I had in 1993 with my now-estranged husband. For those unaware, I've written about our relationship before and his struggles with addiction, mental health, and sexual identity. Back then, I was unable to grasp the situation. I was only twenty-one at the time.
About the Creator
Marilyn Glover
Poet and editor, writing to uplift humanity; working on her debut poetry collection to be released in 2026.
British American dual citizen living in the States. Mother of four, grandmother of two.
Owner of The Quiet Collective
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EeeeK!
Never rains… it pours! Our son’s sick and dog’s post-op Cat’s neck has a tick! * Thankfully they all survived. Hudson’s a good old dog and an excellent patient. He calmly submits to wearing old singlets — fashioned into body suits — to protect multiple abdominal wounds. It was almost the final straw to discover a tick on Mia’s ancient neck. Having long experience in dealing with ticks, we were surprisingly unsuccessful in removing it (after first ‘killing’ it with eucalyptus). An unplanned trip to the vet, along with her doggy brother confirmed my daughter’s assertion. Her ‘tick’ was a mole in disguise.
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Comments (7)
🌼Brilliant use of periodic sentences. The dynamic of this relationship and the way it all fell apart could be understood and felt gradually; this was what made this entry so powerful.
This is organic in the best way (organic poetry, wtf?! 😆). Honest, powerful, and candid. I smell a win here 🔮.
This is a fantastic entry. Heartbreaking and brilliant all at once x
You captured that moment of realisation so well. Good luck with the challenge!
Mg-Tossed the bum out decades ago! We never forget! 🌹 Jk
This is a heartbreaking but magnificent piece of writing. 🩷
Thank you for sharing a piece of your story here ❤️