I

We have lived together many years
Now, and I, having put much
Thought to it, have finally
Arrived at that stage
In my life and thinking, where
Decisions must be made. And I
Decide that I must seek divorce.

You start! Am I not happy?
Yes, my dear ...happy as a child.
An orphan child in a great grey
Institution, when
On Christmas, once a year
The local philanthropist gives
Gifts. Happy beyond belief...
Today!
What of yesterday?
What of Tomorrow?

But we are mates.
Marriages are made in Heaven.

Mates?
I look into your eyes,
And if you're not too busy
With your paper, ball scores,
Radio, television, nothing...
If you are quite alert then,
To my sudden need,
I see reflected
My own eyes! Otherwise...
It's not always Christmas, and
More often I see
Nothing!

Then I feel I shall explode
With all that's in me. So I go
Hunting.
Out into the city , seeking the
Company of other men.
Men to talk with,
Men to eat and drink with,
Men to share
Music... art and poetry, men
Whose minds are somehow akin
To mine.
Men who think, and draw
Conclusions. Or agree with me
That far too many are drawn
Nowadays, and so,
Happily we sit together
Drawing none at all!

II

It matters not to you if
I do all these things with
Other men ? Merely, I must keep
Out of their beds.
Ah then... and this is final
Proof of what I say!
My dear, speak not to me
Of beds!
Would I'd had the mind that I
Now have, those many years ago.
It might have served to keep me
Out of yours!

Oh, be assured that I
Would be least likely to do one
Thing... that one thing I hold so
Lightly, for in it we have met...
In it alone, quite often. And I can
Not spare the time... believe me,
When I find a man
With thoughts akin to mine.
'Twould be such foolish, utter
Waste!

Ah, yes... and I have given
Much thought to your side of it.
I do not wish to ever hurt you
In the very least, simply because you
Were unable to accept
What I was e'er compelled to offer.
In fact, I owe you something...
To make up for the discomfort which
You suffered, when I tried to force
Into your throat... what was far
Too rich!
And you... being what you are...
Take joy, or your equivalent of joy
In comfort. Your easy chair , a bed
That's clean, wholesome... well-cooked
Meals, and peace and quiet.
Someone to talk to sometimes,
About everyday affairs, a warm body
To share your sleep. These are your
Needs. These are your very life, and
Never would I seek to rob you of it!

Continued...