Today’s poetry prompts for OctWriPoMo includes:
Catch Me When I Fall. Finding that person who will support you at every turn is such an important part of any relationship. Also significant is what happens after the fall. How would you describe the balance between giving support and receiving it?
I didn’t follow the form prompt today — no time — but I did write two poems, as I’m of two minds when it comes to the prompt. The first one, the weighing, is a sure sign a relationship is in trouble. The second one is theoretical.
Tax-Free
Your smile is worth 10 points;
20 points when I just put you down.
When I tell the boss no, I can’t
work overtime tonight, it has
to be worth at least 50 points.
Deduct for every time you
leave the gas tank empty.
When I forget your favorite
dessert, deduct 100 from my score.
Like tax returns, we measure
our income and deductions.
Who is head of household?
Capital gains, net losses.
Do I get a refund or do I pay?
When did our love become a chore?
*
Relationship Road
Relationship road
covers all terrains,
through hills and vales,
around turns,
fast and slow,
sunny and stormy,
newly paved and washed out.
Once in awhile there’s
a flat tire,
or the radiator overheats.
Some vehicles are clunkers,
some sleek sports cars,
diesels with trailers,
or even motor homes.
Couples may travel
using mapquest,
from memory, or
a neighbor’s map on paper.
Mapquest gives multiple
route choices.
Each couple’s
route varies.
Regular pit stops
and filling stations
are important.
So many variables,
so many combinations,
but what’s vital
is that you’re traveling together,
with the same destination in mind.
Tao Talk 
both are great poems
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thank you, Lady Nightwave. glad you liked them
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I love both your poems.
I agree that starting to weigh things means the relationship is in trouble. However, I also believe that, sometimes, it is essential, for those of us who keep giving without receiving anything in return but scorn and judgment. It was important to me to know that I was RIGHT to leave. Not selfish. That He’s been the selfish one not ever giving anything to the relationship. No care, no emotion. Only money, and even that, reluctantly.
As for the second one, I LOVE your last three lines. “but what’s vital/is that you’re traveling together,/with the same destination in mind.”
I believe this too was lost along the way, somewhere. And if your travelling together but one wants to go one way and the other another way, then you’re in trouble. One of you at least. And again, if it’s always the same one making compromises, then it’s best to travel alone.
XO
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Glad you can relate to what I wrote. I understand what you mean about weighing. Im not saying a person shouldnt do it but more a yellow flag…
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Yes, I know. If you start weighing, time to have a serious talk with your partner, and/or seek therapy. And if they’re unwilling… time to set yourself free!
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Oh those points…I relate there!
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thanks for reading Shuku
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Loved them both!🙂
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thank you, glad you loved them :)
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These were both brilliant. I like it when a context takes over a poem and traps everything about the subject matter in it. Love it!
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thank you Spiral Artist. glad you loved it
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Sometimes we get so tired of giving that it becomes important to keep a score card.
Loved both the poems.
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