Breaking Through the Storms, Part 2

2.

My husband when troubled
Often withdraws into himself,
Or reaches to Nature for restoration.
I, independent, don’t often need assistance,
Gather strength through work and movement.

My counselor says, Your normal coping tactics
Won’t manage this chaotic experience –
This is completely outside your body of reference.
My husband and I droop at the kitchen table.
He asks me, How do we cope then?
Seems stupidly basic, but I say,
Maybe begin with better communication?

Three months prior my husband, perturbed,
Asks why I had not filled the water filter.
He has been doing much of the work.
I limp away angry and hurt,
Radiated tumor in my right hip,
And say, I can’t do heavy lifting – Remember?

We determine his ‘love language’ is service.
His needs aren’t met, his grief about me buried.
Aren’t I the one in need of immediate attention?

Then flies a flurry of accusations –
How he can’t seem to pamper me the patient,
‘In sickness and in health’ has escaped him,
He appears put out, even,
My current disability preventing
My typical duties and activity.

          I get to the point at last:
          I don’t know if you love me
          From the way you act and your apparent lack
          Of helpfulness and empathy in my time of need.
          He loses it completely: How can you question that?
          Then show me, be the man I know you can be.
          Hold me, accept my limits, be kind and generous.

©️ 2025 Laura E. Garrard

Laura E. Garrard is a multiple myeloma thriver and published author living in the Northwest. Her poetry and prose have appeared in journals like The Madrona Project, Amethyst, Silver Birch, TulipTree Review, and others. Garrard has been chosen as a finalist for Bellevue Literary Review's John & Eileen Allman Prize for Poetry and nominated for a Pushcart Prize.