ritualszombies

The lights were low
But usually out
It had been this way
For years
This was the best
Setting to avoid the
Gleam that no longer
Shown in the eyes

We were almost
Always horizontal
It was almost always
Night time

It was the time of the
'Loving Ritual'
A once or so weekly
Event� sometimes
Less frequently

We partook of
The Ritual
To prove
We still had a
Desire for
Connecting�
One with another
I think that's why
We participated

Or maybe it was just
A fading habit
One of our many
From Coupledom
   Like bank deposits
   Like garage cleaning
   Like eating
   Like children
   Like in-laws
   Like restaurants
   Like vacations
   Like grass cutting

We each knew
   Our side of the bed
   Who showered first
   Who prepared the food
   Who cleaned the dishes
   Who went shopping
   Who tendered the cars

We each knew and agreed
Which topics were
Off limits to discuss
� like The Ritual

Oh The Rituals were
Not unpleasant�
There was still writhing
Occasional arching
Maybe a moan or two
Sharp releases still
Sometimes took place
Sleep usually followed�
Lasting till the next Ritual

But sometimes sleep did
Not follow� sometimes
Wonderment followed
Questions followed

Why do I permit my life
To be like this�

Why do I not stop The
Rituals� hypocrisies
Of the flesh and soul

We've talked about it�
But such discussions
In the world of Coupledom
Are not easy

Defensiveness was easy
Denial was easy
Recriminations were easy
But perhaps the easiest
Of all was simple
Avoidance
Old habits die hard
Until the habiteers die

We were like zombies
Parading through our
Lives� marching before
Others� and ourselves
Under a faded flag of
   Happiness
   Fulfillment
   Satisfaction
   Satiation

There had been a time
When we were not
Yet zombies�

We were excited for each
Other in the daytime
� Not just horizontal
Our eyes shined
With desire
Even with lust�
With love�not
Today's dullness

Why can't we change this
Who says we can't�

'They say '�
We're acting maturely
That the excitement for
Aliveness is supposed to be
Replaced by the excitement
For Things� Possessions
Houses� cars� kids

'They say '�
But what of the children�
I say the children know
We are zombies
We act like zombies
Listless� passive
Calm� passionless

I say the children
Would benefit from
Being immersed with
   Those with a zest for life
   With glows of excitement
   Aliveness for tomorrow�
From those with a stretched
Capacity for love and loving

Who� even children�
Would choose to live
With zombies�

'They say '�
It's not possible to add
Others to our lives
Ones who haven't heard
Our stories� who don't
Know our words before
They're spoken� who
Don't know you're supposed
To Connect horizontally
Who don't care which
Side of the bed is used�
Or even if there is a bed

A famous writer once said
'Life is not about happiness
Or fulfillment� life is about
A 'fire '� an Aliveness�
The lure of experimenting
The rush of change�
The passion of Connecting�
With another� with others

Without the fire you are
Like a zombie�
The walking dead waiting
For your final end

Why can't we change this
Who says we can't�
Who cares what 'they say '
� 'They ' look and act and talk
Like zombies themselves
� Consider the source