Skating on Thin Ice

Do you really want to know the answer?

We sit across the table from each other connecting over cauliflower the last slab of halloumi examining how her work has crept up again like a stalker from hour hours to six, to ten. These are the nimble conversations where any couple can falter. Skills of a mountain goat the speed of a ninja would be handy but there’s an old stone already hanging in the air from past talks & it only moves in circles. What can I say she doesn’t already know? How tired I am of hearing endless regurgitations reflecting perfectionism & low self-worth. There’s an oil slick at the side of the table & plenty of tinder. All it requires is a small word, a slight spark for conflagration. There are a thousand ways we betray ourselves. How little we want reminding from our partner.

Copyright Simon Heathcote