Sir, You Must Speak


Why has the universe
decided I needed to be
an audience to her whining?

I sought peace to calm
my fear of flying before
I entered a bus with wings
and thought this corner
would be my sanctuary.

My walls of seclusion
were torn when both
of you invaded my calm
with your baggage.

Sir, look into your
wife’s eyes and tell
her you hear her
so she will stop
her nasal harangue
you never listen.

I do not wish to know
how many corns
she has on her toes
or her displeasure
that you noticed her sister’s dress
without once commenting
on the pink dress she wore.

Please sir, tell her you will
fix that leaky faucet to stop
the drone of her insistence.
Surely the drip of her badgering
is enough incentive to get it done!

Where is that plane?
I would rather face turbulence
at 30, 000 feet than sit here
having my nerves frayed
by her complaints and
your continued silence.


©Susie Clevenger 2012

Comments

Sherry Blue Sky said…
Oh, you have nailed it. So does the movie Hope Springs with Meryl Streep - you MUST go see it.
Susan said…
"Surely the drip of her badgering
is enough incentive to get it done!"

It is enough to get your narrator into the plane! Your first sentence? I am pretty sure that the universe did not set her up--but, maybe, she did. The universe seems to like a laugh or two from a poet now and then. Thank you!
Daydreamertoo said…
LOL...People like that do tend to drive others nuts don't they!
I am so claustrophobic at times but would far rather get on the plane so the noise drowns these type out unless of course, she was sat right next to you. LOL
Well said Susie!
Kerry O'Connor said…
Oh ouch! I don't know which stanza was most deliciously biting: the one which refers to her nasal harangue, or compares her to a leaky faucet. One wonders how such relationships last, if they are unbearable to a passing stranger.
hedgewitch said…
One of my pet peeves! usually it's a parent ignoring a child, often so painful to hear the complete lack of hope in the child's voice as it repeats over and over "mommy...mommy" and never is acknowledged. This one though, I don't know how people live like that, truly. You nailed the prompt, Susie.
Grace said…
Good job on the whining and badgering voice, like leaky faucet ~ If I am riding or flying with a noisy passenger, I feel like jumping out too ~
Helen said…
Wonderful! I had a smile on my face through every line! I've removed myself from earshot more than a few times in my life. Especially in airports!!
Fireblossom said…
Oh goodness, I can't stand being forced to listen to people like that. Ugh!
Laurie Kolp said…
What a horrible place to be... I hope the trip was quick. I'd have put on my iPod music!
Mary said…
Oh, I hate it when one wants to be alone with one's own thoughts and someone starts a conversation and won't pick up all the non-verbal clues I can muster that I just don't want to talk. I do hope that when you got ON that plane, she was not your seat mate. LOL.
Yet another occasion where ear plugs are required.
very vivid account of contained annoyance.
hjdbedfb said…
Hehe yep! :D This is awesome :D You've really captured how some people can be sooooo annoying :D
Teresa said…
Talk about a long trip. I hope you had some headphones.
Kay L. Davies said…
Teresa's suggested headphones are a great idea.
I wish I could get up the nerve to say, "Excuse me, but I was sitting here alone so I could get some peace and quiet!" but I've never been able to do it.
I love this poem, Susie. I can well imagine the narrator's agony, as well as the noise of the carping wife.
K