Hope Behind the Wheel

[saleel]

He gave it up somewhere along the way,
and sadly, I'm the one who's forced to see
the skin relax on bones, a flesh-display
of discontent to share the road with me.
I miss the man he was before his eyes,
half-closed with stress, averted mine. He lost
the boyish smile that shivered up my thighs
and gently warmed my womb. Away, he tossed
my timid touch, unwilling to be soothed
or let me soothe myself. Sweat-painted hide
is now just diluted memory he used
to be so ever-willing to provide.
But I won't leave him struggling there alone.
I'll keep my vows, continue driving home.

Wow, I felt like I peeked into someone's struggles in marriage. I love your analogy and how you tied it all together. I felt like I became her for some reason Like understanding her feelings and feeling nostalgic for when you first met. I like the line, "But, I won't leave him struggling there alone." Simply beautiful poem.