grasping at straws

sitting across from each other
at what was once a comfortable table
in what was once a serene atmosphere
two individuals who were once so close
have now been drawn so far apart &
despite the amount of years they’ve been together &
despite all the experiences, the ups & downs,
the rollercoaster ride that was their relationship,
they now have nothing more to say to each other.

worse yet,
the time spent working & toiling away at keeping
each other afloat
has slowed them down, isolated them &
the friends that they had just a few years ago
have moved on, lost touch, or seemingly vanished---
neither of the parties at the table can remember the last time
that they went out & actually “had fun.”

tensions seem to stir from everywhere now &
backed up frustrations from years ago eat at the both of them,
so much so that they do their best not to be in the dwelling at
the same time anymore---
but without work to keep them busy or the children to occupy them
they pass the time the best that they can
trying to avoid arguments
trying to find some kind of happiness on their own.

this dinner “together” forces the tears &
the getting up from the table to get a tissue
does nothing to relieve the overall problem---
having grown older, s/he believes that there are no longer
any options available in this world &
that no matter how long you spend grasping at straws
you always come up empty---
best to just stay quiet.