25 Comments
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Stephen Drew's avatar

So reminiscent of the final, sad exhale of my last marriage. It set the stage for one of the loveliest conversations we'd ever had. Our marriage did not fail - it was completed.

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G. K. Allum's avatar

What a beautiful sentiment. It was completed.

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W. Lorenzo Cromwell's avatar

I can relate you your poem. I too have removed the ring and the tolerance that comes after is sometimes for me to continue. Thank you for writing this. I must say it did hit a number of emotions.

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G. K. Allum's avatar

I am glad my words moved you.

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Wild and windswept's avatar

A beautiful, touching poem. Thank you for sharing it. Although I haven't experienced a break up for many years now, I still remember that wildness of feeling, teetering on the edge between familiarity and the unknown.

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A.C. SALT's avatar

I’ve never had a marriage dissolve but definitely had a relationship dissolve into obliteration. This brought up so many feelings inside me, I’m left in contemplation.

This is painstakingly beautiful, adding attention to emotions that are usually ignored after a dissolve of a marriage. Thank you for writing this.

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quiet reminders's avatar

Very well written. The struggle, the unanswered questions. It's so raw and real. I like your writing.

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Eric Roseberry's avatar

As someone who will have their 20th anniversary this fall, I so appreciate your poetry. You capture moments in a long-term relationship so well. When I read these poems, I feel like they are lived experiences.

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G. K. Allum's avatar

I appreciate your kind words too.

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Cherales's avatar

This Post popped up before, I started to read, but couldn't / wouldn't get in to it. A gentle day here though and it just popped up again. This time I read all the way through and it has stayed with me since.

Seemingly simple lines such as

'you asked, “What do I want?”

and I was rendered mute'

fill the room I'm sat quietly in.

I should really just say 'thank you for sharing' but it doesn't seem quite right.

But thank you for sharing all the same.

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G. K. Allum's avatar

Thank you works. There's nothing wrong with appreciating this poem, it's not sad to me. It's part of life, and happy it reached you again and again!

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Cherales's avatar

If not pleased, I am at least very glad to read that it's not sad to you, or no longer is, as that makes it all the more hopeful for the rest of us.

PS

Thank you :)

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Jennie Doyle's avatar

So often, the ending is expected to come with heat. It rarely does, i think. It comes quietly, like a thousand paper cuts, as they say. I like "It was completed."

Also, your title reminds me so much of East Coast E by Matt Pond. It's one of my favorite feel good songs.

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G. K. Allum's avatar

Off to check out that song right now!

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Cherales's avatar

Apologies for the interruption, but whilst Matt Pond is new to me, thank you for the share. Anyway, butting out again now, and back to reading Substack

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Skinnecktitty by Mistake's avatar

Can’t wait to read more

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Devo/Murphy Carpenter's avatar

This is sad and raw I hope I never reach this point

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G. K. Allum's avatar

Part of the challenge of writing The Familiarity is I have to tell the narrative arc of falling in love, of marriage, children, of despair and grief, and redemption. I'm currently in the the throes of writing about the relationship where it wasn't working and need to honor that. I am hoping to take the reader on this journey - and yes, it is sad and raw. I do hope I do it all justice (my poor wife gets to read all of this too - she's a saint!)

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Devo/Murphy Carpenter's avatar

And then there’s this

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Devo/Murphy Carpenter's avatar

It’s really good and I bet reading it is hard for your sweet wife

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The Demure Hedonist's avatar

Beutiful, so raw. "In the end, we tolerate what we both have become."

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G. K. Allum's avatar

I appreciate you and the time you take to reply to my words.

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David Rizzo's avatar

GL Allum has such an ear to the rhythms of love and when it grows cold.

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Simona's Stories's avatar

This moved me, what a raw, beautiful write. Love it!

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