"Two wrongs may not make a right but a thousand wrongs make a writer.”

Sunday, February 2, 2020

The Hungry Boyfriend

lounges in the recliner with his pressed coffee and remote,
top shelf at the ready, knuckle in his mouth.
Only the best for the double negative boyfriend
who loves her and promises he won’t do it again
but he’s always so hungry, hungry, hungry hungry.

Curtains drawn, super heroes on the tube
he waits for her to come home with food.
A high-flying career guy who now pushes carts in the rain
it isn't any wonder he's hungry for her.
He gobbles up friends and eats self esteem
devours her cash like a casino machine.

Lock your phone with a thumbprint, sleep with a knife,
when a double negative boyfriend sneaks into your life.
But she tells all who will listen he won’t do it again,
not nothing to worry about from this DN boyfriend.

He’s calm and connected, swallows his pills dry,
hitches his pants and polishes the knobs,
patiently pacing for the mouse to arrive.
But she did it again and ruined his mood
empty handed up the walk, bitch where’s my food!



Alone in the House but for Poets and Storytellers

19 comments:

Anthony Duce said...

Enjoyed. Sad, but feel like I know him.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Sadly, I think many of us do.
Thanks!

Magaly Guerrero said...

The villains who swear themselves victims always find a justification for the atrocities they commit. They are just that good at self-deception, aren't they?

Yvonne, this was so wonderfully done. The pacing is perfect for the topic. Just like it happens in this sort of situations, each line adds to the avalanche to come--adding and adding and adding... until her life gets smacked.

This is a powerful one.

indybev said...

Who let him in in the first place. Sounds like boyfriend standards need to be raised! My mother used to have a wise saying --- "in order for someone to walk all over you, you first have to lie down". You've depicted such situations so well!

Kim M. Russell said...

I’m so glad I’ve never met this guy, Yvonne, whom you’ve brought to life so vividly I want to slap his face and tell him to take a good look at himself! The lines that riled me the most are:
‘He gobbles up friends and eats self esteem
devours her cash like a casino machine’
and
‘But she did it again and ruined his mood
empty handed up the walk, bitch where’s my food!’

Gillena Cox said...

OMG this is so funny
"he waits for her to come home with food."

Happy Sunday, thanks for dropping by my sumie Sunday

Much💝love

Sanaa Rizvi said...

I have dated a guy like this one, and let me tell you .. people like these are nothing more than blood sucking narcissists who are incapable of love. There were many days when I wondered if I wasn't good enough and eventually realized that I wasn't the problem. It takes courage to write a poem like this one.. Beautifully rendered.

ZQ said...

Wow, vivid and painful. Well done!

colleen said...

Terrifying conclusion to the build up and I have a glimpse of a double negative boyfriend and so it hits the chord. Excellent write.

Revived Writer said...

Ugh, sounds like a terrible guy.

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

There are many kinds of domestic abuse, and it sounds like he's guilty of them all. You've painted an accurate portrait of both parties; hope she wakes up soon.

Marja said...

Wow what a powerful well written piece. Sad that the kind of him is around. The self esteem of the woman most be very low as she keeps accepting this

Khaya Ronkainen said...

This is sadly true in some households, and normally takes time to show the culprit the door. Powerful write!

rallentanda said...

Escape plans in order here. Evil psychos are good at choosing their victims.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Thanks everyone, I love each and every comment and thank you for taking the time to leave your thoughts. This was tough to write and, sadly, there are too many of these evil manipulative psychos out there.

C. Sandlin said...

Terrifying, especially given the "double negative" appellation. I feel the flash of the monster each time.

Myrna R. said...

Sad. Unfortunately, such relationships exist. You captured the bitter truth of a 'DN' boyfriend so well.

Jim said...

I like this, Yvonne. It's been a long time since we had a cat.
Sorry I'm so late getting here. I enjoyed this read.
..

Thotpurge said...

Terrifying when you read something and realize you've met people like this and seen what they've done to others' lives. And how well they justify abuse and play the victim card. A terrific poem, Yvonne. And reading the comment trail was enlightening as well.