Hmm Bob, just some observations I made about a couple I once knew. It is 
meant to be open for interpretation. Sometimes given the right circumstances 
I can be very perceptive bordering on the paranoic. I was told once that 
paranoia was in fact enhanced perception. I don't know "Protecting" was in 
fact implying that she was his and belonged to him. It did make me feel a 
little uncomfortable at the time, his behavior was very obscure. I have 
found some very strange behavior from some married people since becoming a 
widow. I don't quite seem to fit in with them. I puzzle them as much as they 
puzzle me. Hmm such is life. Bw Sally J


>From: Bob Cooper <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: New Sub The cherished Wife
>Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2006 16:42:58 +0000
>
>Hi Sally,
>This tells an interesting tale - and tells it well!
>With the last word - "protecting" - I'm wondering what to infer... I start 
>to think, perhaps because of the sharply observed details the narrator 
>noticed earlier on, that the writer wasn't so keen on the bloke. And now 
>the bloke isn't so keen on the visitor.
>So there's lots of undercurrents neatly hinted at. (I wish I didn't know 
>what they were!)
>Bob
>
>
>>From: Sally James <[log in to unmask]>
>>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: New Sub The cherished Wife
>>Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 20:02:09 +0100
>>
>>The Cherished Wife
>>
>>You could tell she was treasured
>>by the pleading looks he gave
>>when she left him in the hallway
>>with sad puppy eyes.
>>The kiss she gave when she left
>>was a mere peck but I saw
>>his lips twitch in hunger.
>>By the time she returned
>>his mouth was  turned down to his chin
>>like the sun about to be
>>swallowed by the sea.
>>She busied herself with tea, he skulked
>>in the garden, his back arched
>>as he scratched  in the damp earth.
>>By teatime the sun had begun to rise again
>>I caught the shine in my glass
>>as he beamed at her  from across the table.
>>The Chardonnay I gave had triggered his switch.
>>Later I became aware that I was not a guest
>>but an intruder as his arm crept
>>slowly around her, protecting.
>>
>>Sally James