What About Our Children?
What have we ever done but love you
What About Our Children?
You said it without shouting.
That almost made it worse.
Like it wasn’t worth the noise.
Like we were just a note you’d written
then folded in half and walked away from.
You didn’t name another woman.
Didn’t bring up years of fights.
You just said you couldn’t do it anymore,
The marriage is over, there is no more us.
I watched your mouth move
and kept mine shut.
Not because I agreed,
because I couldn’t find the words
that would matter to you now.
I still make your tea
the way you like it.
Still fold your washing
out of habit, out of love?
like love lives in my hands
long after it’s left your heart.
The kids are upstairs.
They don’t know yet.
You said you’d tell them next week
when things were “settled.”
As if hearts ever settle clean.
As if pain waits politely
for your calendar to clear.
Do you think they won’t notice?
That they won’t ask why your chair is cold,
why there’s only one toothbrush by the sink,
why their bedtime stories stop halfway through?
They’ll see through your weekend smiles.
They’ll know the difference
between a father
and a visitor with sweets.
And what do I tell them?
When they ask what happened.
Do I say you loved us once
but not enough to stay?
Do I say you tried
but not where it counted?
You walked out with no suitcase?
just your decision.
You took the quiet with you.
Left the noise behind in me.
I still love you.
There.
I Said it again.
Even now, with the bed half-made
and your side stiff with cold.
But love doesn’t keep a house standing
if only one of us is holding up the walls.
And you?
you’ve already stepped outside.
About the Creator
Marie381Uk
I've been writing poetry since the age of fourteen. With pen in hand, I wander through realms unseen. The pen holds power; ink reveals hidden thoughts. A poet may speak truth or weave a tale. You decide. Let pen and ink capture your mind❤️
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Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Comments (23)
"Well said 👏"
Definitely Outstanding
Heartbreaking ❤️🩹
"You took the quiet with you. Left the noise behind in me." The depth in each line is crazy! <3
This was beautifully written, you deserved the top story award. Congratulations
Congratulations of top story beautiful heartbreaking poet
You depict an outstanding thing, you can also support my writing. Thanks
Thank you for sharing this. Those little intimate details made the POV so real - "a visitor with sweets" - wow. wishing you much love to be found in your next chapter <3
This is beautifuland heart breaking at the same time! I could feel the lines, as I used to have a similar childhood...
Heart breaking and so raw. The pain of being abandoned, and how it ricochets into a child's heart.
Awesome to read
Congrats on top story! So deserved!
Oh my That was beautiful Heartbreaking I almost feel bad saying I love this poem, because of how much it hurt to read 💖💖💖
Congratulations on top story 🎈👏🏾
Captivating and well written, good work.
It is the third comment I am sending, and it does not show up in your comments. Very heartfelt poem.
A very heartfelt poem, Marie. The mother's love covers every pain. And still waits.
What a poignant poem about divorce from a mother's point of view. Good job.
"As if our hearts ever settle clean" Isn't that the damn truth. This poem is so hauntingly beautiful and full of deep grief that resonates.
This is a sad and perennial problem. The elderly are unfortunately left to bear this alone.
A very heartfelt poem that hits center. You send very useful messages. The eternal mother cares for her children.
Great poems, you do so well with all your poems. Can connect on different ways and on different levels with the words of this poem
This poem is both a farewell and a holding on. It's powerful in its vulnerability, and it made me reflect on how we, as people, move through pain quietly, carrying the weight of our brokenness and trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense anymore. Marie everything ok on your side?