I wrote my joy,

The words spilled from my pen,

Flooding the paper with happiness.

We were to marry.

I did not know

You would disapprove.

You told me a good wife

Would not write poesies,

Had no room in her life

For trivialities.

Yet words still tumbled

From my soul.

They spilled onto the sand.

I watched them

Wash out to sea,

Relieved –

You would never know.

For 20 years

My heart’s words

Disappeared

Into the sea.

Today you left this life

And still you never knew

That your submissive wife

Could be defying you.

Sadly, I walk the beach,

My words gone,

My soul empty.

The girl who wrote her joy

Has washed away.

And so I must perforce

Obey your wishes now.

My ultimate life course

Is written in our vow.

I suppose you would approve,

At last.

Marilyn Gordon

        May 10, 2002