In Defense of the Marriage Act – Barbara Kreader Skalinder

IN DEFENSE OF THE MARRIAGE ACT

by Barbara Kreader Skalinder

Freshman year – Hell Week hazing
found you bathed in lust.

If only Mrs. Davis LCW
had confirmed your fear you were gay.

Instead you,

the boy I chose,
called me nymphomaniac
on our wedding night,

and I agreed,
put away
my ice-white chemise.

the man I still loved, phoned:
Rescue me. I’m obsessed
with men in jeans,

and I became anorexic
so you could come
with me in my Calvins.

 

the husband I still wanted, hedged:
The “Playgirl” you found –
I bought it for you,

and I morphed
into Victor Victoria,
a woman being a man being a woman.
the man I no longer knew
insisted: Only you think
I’m gay. I’m just stressed,

and I colluded
with this crazy-making confusion,
afraid to be alone.

The father of my children announced
Your mother is leaving me –
 she is mentally ill

and I, the family’s
designated bad guy,
took the hit.

 

 

 

 

 

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