I remember the chocolates…
This is an old poem, which was published in X magazine back in 2006 and although it first appears that the poem laments the imperfect nature of relationships (which perhaps at the time, was my intention) that’s not how I see it now.
I chose to share this poem here today as on Valentine’s Day, expectations can run high. Some people may be lucky enough to receive grand gestures – ranging from a proposal in house filled with roses to the declaration on Facebook that they are ‘in a relationship.’ However, many of us in relationships will be giving and receiving much smaller tokens, if at all. Is today important? Only if you want it to be… Like most things, it is what you make of it and let’s be honest, relationships can never be summed up with one simple gesture. A box of chocolates, however spectacular, is not representative of the bond between two people.
Relationships are complicated. I don’t mean that in a Facebook status way (which would be a different post entirely) but in that there are so many strands and seasons over the course of each relationship that when it comes down to it, it’s really the simple things that count.
It’s the simple things
We were both at home
I was working
And you were on holiday
You thought we’d hang out
I reminded you I was working
You nodded and left the room
Spent most of the day upstairs
So as not to disturb me
But your silence seeped through the ceiling
Landed heavy on my shoulders
I stopped to make a cup of tea
Didn’t ask if you wanted one
Later, you came down
Silently, and with your hands over your eyes
Like a toddler who thinks he can’t be seen if he can’t see
You put the kettle on
You tiptoed across the kitchen and then,
Fingers wrapped around the door handle, you whispered
“Just pretend I’m not here”
The corner of your lip turned up
In a half smile
The silence slid from my shoulders.
Image Credit: Heart Shaped Chocolate by Serge Bertasius Photography at freedigitalphotos.net