The Quiet Between Words

Oh, mama...

Why do you do this to me?

Why do you think I deserve your silent treatment?

Why do you give me more quiet,

Than words?

Dad says he's used to it...

What with all the mistakes he's done.

Sis isn't even near to feel the wrath

Your silent treatment brings.

But here I am..

Trying to get you to speak out

Release the unspoken emotions.

So that, maybe, just maybe

I can share some of mine, too.

My silent moments with my spouse

And now your silent moments with me.

As though, you're punishing me.

I suppose you are, because...

You never really think I'm on your side.

You never really take my side, either.

So while I'm trying to bloom understanding

In spaces between the words,

I drown in misery

Of your silence...

I try to be the bigger person

To fill the spaces with laughter

An anecdote of my boring day

A conversation about food (because why not?)

But I don't get much.

Am I cursed to a life

Of only giving, mum?

Because it seems to be a common pattern

That you don't want to help me break.

Sigh...

*walks back home

Here we go again.