Over Dirty Dishes

I know exactly why we broke up

He stopped respecting me

My live-in boyfriend in the 1990's

He couldn't take me seriously

So he became bossy and naggy

He taunted me dismissively

As if I were a child

Clean the apartment because

His friends are coming over

They're his friends

It's his mess

Basically we broke up 

Over Dirty Dishes

But really it was something else

After I cleaned everything

No change / No respect

I'm a joke

How long before I would go?

It didn't used to be this way

How could I prevent the breakup?

Never argue unless holding hands

Now I know

We argued at a distance

I ran away from my feelings

I slammed the door

I should have stayed

Kitchen table/ Holding hands

Discuss it with persistence

If only we had a love blog

I don't mind some teasing

Except when I'm depressed

Down in the dumps

In a rut / In a slump

I need support and love

Not derision

So I made a tough decision

I broke up Over Dirty Dishes

He couldn't stop laughing at me

So I broke up eventually

As this poem can attest

He taught me so much

Love is sensitive

Laughing and lampooning are fun

Unless you are the target

I replaced the dishes with paper plates

We argued on the phone

I said I don't love you anymore

I heard tears in his voice

It broke my heart

I felt it was too late

Too many lines crossed

But I lied again

I do love him / I once did

He meant something to me

And still does

I thought I was protecting him

From the downward spiral

My life chose to begin

We broke up on the phone

At a distance

Over Dirty Dishes.