She balances his love
a curious attention
as if it were commodity
to equate on a scale…
she scientific measures
annoyance in his voice
and calibrates declension
at corners of his mouth…
trips mental thermostats
for coolness in his manner
marks chill in attitude,
or stillness in his mood…
takes daily passion readings
as if it were diabetic,
adjusts her love drip insulin
to sweetness or to sour…
notes pro and con
in two uneven lengths
that some place in her brain
charts equilibrium,
yet nowhere in the notice
heeds her instability.
Bonnie Marshall
Art by Jan Vermeer
Proem... 
This is deep, sharp, and true; well done!
Human condition and all….thanks, Ward. Smiles.
This is another brilliant piece. I have been in that relationship. Weighed, measured, and found wanting, when the one doing the measuring ignores her own tottering inaccuracy.
Ah, yes, Mark, it is such a human experience. Just pleased you found it perhaps helpful…and very thankful for your comment. Smile.
I am seriously awed by your talent, Bonnie. You have very quickly risen to be one of my favorite poets on here.
Know that is important to me, Mark. Very thankful. Very.
This is so true, excellent.
Susan, glad you think so, and I appreciate your comments. Smile.
Fantastic! I love this.
Sincere thanks, Shawn. I appreciate knowing this. Smile.
I know her. You describe her so well you must know her also. It didn’t work out for us, too scaly. Does it ever work out for her I wonder?
At times, John, I think she (or he) is every one. Takes confidence, that’s all. Glad for the kindness of your comment.
Reblogged this on Ward Brent McBurney.
Most gracious of you, dear friend. Thank you.
One of your more provocative poems, Bonnie. It’s interesting to consider what may have ‘conditioned’ this person into adopting this ‘obsessive’ measuring. …and so many good lines to chose from here.
Fun flexing a persona, Jana, with “don’t sweat the small stuff” I try to live. Thank you dear friend.