THE 'FAITHFUL' Husband

Now you tell me that you have to go
You tell me you can't live with me anymore
You need to go somewhere far away from me
To discover yourself and to find your destiny

I knew you are unhappy with me and dissatisfied
It's not that I never noticed it when you cried
But 20 years of togetherness inures one to pain
Especially when I find you crying over and over again

When we were young my young heart would bleed
To see you unhappy or when I couldn't match your need
Couldn't get you the dress you wanted to wear
Or afford to buy you flowers to put in your hair

With our first child, I felt the weight upon my back
I had to become the provider; there was no looking back
So I rolled up my sleeves and got down to work
Because my responsibilities I just couldn't shirk

You know I worked from sunrise till it got dark
Tell me darling where was the time to walk in the park?
I had to find the money to buy all the things you would need
And I just couldn't forget there were hungry mouths to feed

You were lost in the children and in building a home
While to expand this business, all over did I roam
How often do I have to tell you, o mother of two
That if I stayed away from home, it was for you

I must confess that I did seek comfort when lonely
But no woman ever had me, I belong to you only
Even though they came to me while we were apart
I only gave them my body, never my heart

But as a woman this is something you'll never understand
That I can be with another and yet cherish my wedding band
But believe me when I tell you my heart's not made of stone
Though I was busy, it was very hard to be alone

Don't forget the time when the children were an excuse
To deny me your body you often used them as ruse
If my pent up passion I did take elsewhere
It's because for my needs too, you were not there

Now that you're mature and more aware of your need
You seek love for pleasure and not just to breed
Now when I am older and my fire almost doused
Your need has increased and your passion aroused

I simply can't match your desire nor quench your flame
Please curse nature; I'm really not to blame
I'm losing interest, as with time I grow old
And you, my love, are getting ever so bold

I can't be romantic, but I do love you still
Even though I spend hours managing the mill
I'm ever grateful for the home you've given me
I show my gratitude with gifts, can't you see?

Now look around you and see this beautiful nest
It has seen a lot of laughter and withstood time's test
The children have gone and now there's us two
Isn't this the nest you built for me and you?

Yes, you are lonely now that the kids have gone
You're tired of staring through the window at the manicured lawn
I know you long for your lover who fulfills your dream
But your lover darling is as fleeting as moonbeam

So please don't go away and destroy what we've built
This is our home, my love, and there's no place for guilt
Stay with me and together spend the rest of our life
Though you've been "unfaithful", you're still my wife

Yes, you can blame me for your vicissitude
While you engage yourself in another interlude
And when you find a lover and forget you're my wife
Just remember, darling that you are my very life

~Siddharth Sanyal~

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