“The only way out” by Marianne Worthington

was for the kids to crawl
.               under the supper table packed
.                             with family in our red
Formica kitchen
.              but I stayed behind with
.                            the Boston Terrier waiting
below for crumbs of talk
.              I’m not supposed to hear—
.                            drunkard, dumb ass,
divorce, deadbeat—
.              the words dampened
.                            through vinyl and chrome,
a long-last buzzing in my ears.

-Marianne Worthington

209 thoughts on ““The only way out” by Marianne Worthington

  1. Karen George

    Love the form of this poem, and the concrete, significant details that bring the narrative to life.

    Reply

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