Breaking free from loneliness and abuse. The metaphor of a faithful dog waiting for crumbs conveys a desperate longing for love and affection. The poem explores themes of loneliness and emotional abuse in a relationship.

Wilted No More story continues. This poem symbolises a faithful dog waiting for crumbs from its master's table, and Grace, now a wife and mother, waiting for crumbs of affection from her husband of sixteen years. He is so busy working and spending time with his mates that Grace is alone at home with her two young daughters most of the time. When he is home, he vents his anger toward her and their children.

She must make a stand against him for the sake of her daughters - 'This is not the way a husband and father should treat those who love him.' Grace feels lonely and unloved. She recognises her worth and the need for a loving environment, so she musters up the courage to leave her husband. From the story Wilted No More.

Poem: A Crumby Tale

I sit beside the table of love, waiting for my ‘master’

To brush off the crumbs of love my way

So I can rush to devour them.

I wait patiently and hopefully for scraps of affection to come my way

Wait week after week in hope

I keep telling myself, 'the master loves me'

He’s just really busy at the moment.

As the years roll on, my hunger makes me desperate

I wait patiently to gain his attention

My efforts are to no avail.

I have to make a decision to stay and wait longer

Or leave and find what I need elsewhere

I wait, I wait, starving for affection

I wait for him to apologise for his negligence, but he doesn’t.

I can’t wait any longer

My very life force is slipping away

I must make a decision.

I accept that my master doesn't love me

He is supposed to, but he doesn’t

Behind his smile and his charm

He is cruel, rude and verbally abusive.

How foolish was I to stay and wait

Apology and affection were not on his agenda

He was too busy working.

I feel so ashamed for being so naïve

Yet I still have some pride

I get up and walk away

To find a place where I am loved

For my loyalty and affection.

I am good, fair and caring

I deserve to be loved and cared for

My only flaw is my foolish choice

With whom I place my loyalty.

I don’t look back, I just focus on the road ahead

My heart sways between wanting my old master back

And wanting a new master who will show me affection

And feed me more than crumbs from his table of love.

Beverley Joy © 2013 Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.

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Thank you for listening. Beverley Joy.