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.

The vulnerability and excitement of a first date for young adult love. This poem is part of a series, Wilted No More, that reflects my life story and is a sequel to The Wilted Rose book. Both tell the story of significant events in Grace's life - falling in love, falling out of love, marriage, divorce, and motherhood.

Grace's relationship with Alex only lasted one year. Melbourne, Victoria, was too cold for her as her puppy love for Alex had grown cold. She returns to Brisbane, Queensland, shares a flat with a friend, secures a full-time job, and buys a car.

She goes to a disastrous Christmas party, with Brian as her blind date, a friend of a work colleague. This poem reflects their first romantic date together as young adults. Love is in the air once more for Grace. Beverley Joy.

The first date

The clock was ticking, I was waiting to hear your footsteps at my door

So romantic, so debonair, I basked in your adoring flair.

As you entered into my world, I nervously tripped on my words

Awkward glances, friendly banter.

I said too much, I went on and on revealing my heart, opening my soul

It left me feeling vulnerable, 'Will I regret it tomorrow?'

I came out of my shell feeling happy and whole

But is that the me that he wants to see?

Throughout the date, we reminisced over common interests and music

We shared our stories of adventures and dreams, past, present, and future.

'Am I over the top? Was I too much? Will he reconsider or prefer someone else?'

I’ve lived my life as a captive bird; now the cage is flung open, I’ll fly upward

It feels so strange, so alien, that I might fly back in and hide again.

No one ‘knows’ me, I don’t ‘know’ myself, but I like what I feel, it’s exciting stuff.

Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry 2012. All rights reserved.

Read or listen to my poems on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠and at ⁠⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠⁠

Thank you for listening. Beverley Joy.

How attraction evolves into familiarity and love. This poem illustrates the journey from attraction to deep familiarity and love, highlighting how the relationship flourishes. It reflects the warmth of love and the formation of a solid friendship, emphasising the comfort and simplicity of connection. Despite uncertainties and past emotional wounds, there is hope for a future filled with shared experiences, including potential marriage and family. The poem expresses a desire for genuine acceptance and understanding, underscoring the pure intent behind feelings.

Grace and Brian have been going steady for over a year. They are contemplating what lies ahead for their relationship.

From romance to love

I held your face in my hands, I looked into your eyes,

I smiled, I sighed.

My heart felt warm, it poured forth love,

A friendship was formed, of that I was sure

A love I hope will weather many a storm.

It does not demand, it’s just comfortable

It’s simple, it’s sincere, no need to fear

Its intent is pure, it’s demure.

I speak some words, and they come out wrong

I misconstrue; I confuse

If I write you a poem the words will speak

Smooth and true, honest and clear.

I mean no harm as I hesitate

My heart’s been bruised and the wounds go deep

Accept my embrace one by one, moment by moment as genuine.

Who knows where this new love may lead?

A wedding, children, extended family.

A home of our own with a garden and swings

A future together, hopefully.

Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry © 2015. All rights reserved.Read or listen to my poems on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠⁠⁠⁠I really appreciate you listening to my poem.

Thank you for listening. Beverley Joy