Wild moments, tempers flare,
Frustrated feelings brought to bare.
Nose to nose we wide eyed stare,
About the kids we do not care.

Give an inch, take a yard,
Puts us on our special guard.
Why take advantage of a little favour,
If mutual respect is caused to waver.

We keep our feelings wrapped up tight,
Relishing the challenge of a verbal fight.
There are no winners in this game,
The verdict always appears the same.

Sorry can be hard to say,
And with regret we will delay,
Not apologising before we sleep,
The bitterness we stubbornly keep.

Eventually common sense prevails,
As the psychological battle fails.
But a little piece of our inner feeling,
Is sadly in need of tender healing.

A box of chocolates or little surprise,
The resentment inside slowly dies.
A candlelit dinner or theatre show,
Steadily our feelings will slowly grow.

Sorry can be hard to say,
But learn to say it without delay.
Apologise before you sleep,
If your love you want to keep.

(c) John McKay Withey