The Musician’s Wife

16/10/2020 – Poem a Day Compilation



“Oh, your husband is a genius.”

Yes, he’s very talented at music,

He has quite the knack for getting the notes

To make the most beautiful sounds.



But he has no idea how to cook a meal –

I think even toast might be beyond him,

Let alone a 3-course dinner for guests,

Though I think he can manage a jam sandwich.



Don’t even ask him to put on a load of washing –

I think he thinks the clothes wash themselves,

As if by magic making their way from the floor

To the laundry and out onto the line.



I can’t remember the last time he shopped –

Even walking to the convenience store

To pick up a loaf of bread or a litre of milk

Is too much of a challenge for him.



“Oh, but he’s so busy with his composing.”

Yes, it does take up a lot of his time

And it is important that he does it

Because it does bring in some money.



But I, too have a full-time job I do –

I don’t just sit around waiting on him

Yet sometimes I feel like a servant,

Or worse, like an unindentured slave.



I get up always at the crack of dawn –

Breakfast is made, children are dressed

And the house is tidied as best it can be

Before I drive myself to the office.



When I get home, I see nothing is done –

The post is still in the letterbox,

The children have made themselves snacks

And toys are scattered around the place.



“Oh, but children need their mother.”

Yes, they do, and I love them dearly,

I would never give them up for anything,

They mean the world to me.



But they also need their father –

Who could perhaps spare an afternoon

To take them to the park to play

Or turn up to their school concerts.



Maybe, he could make sure they’ve bathed –

For all his talk, years ago, of wanting children

He has scant showed an interest in their lives

Except to boast of their achievements.



Would it really be such a bother to the world –

If his latest masterpiece took a week longer?

If his magnus opus was delayed a little?

If his life’s work involved more than music?



“Oh, but he’s an artist.”

Yes, but sometimes I wish he weren’t.

Unemployed

07/08/2020 - Poem a Day Compilation



I am not unemployed.

I am unemployable.

There is no real reason.

It’s just what I’m told.



I have the qualifications.

I have done the all the hours.

I’d just like to be given a chance

Like everybody else.



I’m not overly political,

I don’t bring my views to work.

I don’t like to get into arguments

Or cause any tension.



I quite like sports and theatre,

I can happily talk about both,

And I’m not pushy with my opinion

Even when heavily pressed.



I can work from home or an office,

With others or on my own,

I sound, on paper, like perfection

Until I walk in the door.



They never come out and say it,

But how I look frightens them off.

They don’t need to tell me directly,

I can tell before they open their mouth.



I won’t apologise for who I am,

I can’t change the way I appear,

And if you won’t see past the superficial

I don’t want to work for you there.



But I would like to be given an opportunity

To show that I’m capable, at least.

That how I look doesn’t affect my work,

Only your perception of me.