Together-Alone

This relationship has
revealed to me much;
through it lessons
in mind and spirit I've grown.
But I never expected
I'd master the art
of being together-
alone.

My words seek your verbal participation
but find only one word answers and
exasperation.
For me you have no
time to talk or to spend.
But when your boys
call or come over
the conversation never ends.

You can't understand
my bitchin' and moanin'
about together alone.
How many ways can I say it
"baby you ain't never home!"
Lying and denying
when I ask you wha't wrong-
you say to avoid conflict.
But the pain brought
by your silence and
desertion is worse than
an argument could inflict.

All this time alone has
me questioning and seeking.
How can we be together
when we aren't even speaking?
Turning the key at
a quarter to 3;
slide into our bed
without even noticing me.

You on your side of the bed
and me over here on mine
each of us asleep
on either side of that
invisible line.
Your favorite fragrance
drifts from my skin
into the bedroom air.
Still I fell asleep alone
in this negligee
that's barely there.

Somehow thought love,
hopes, and dreams
were something we'd share.
Sobered now by the
realization that being
together, but alone
is my burden to bear.

RLT-2000