filed in Happy Ever After
Vintage Marriage Fantasy
(Countdown to CONTEST. Last week to enter.)
Here’s a marriage fantasy from one man’s point of view, who happens to be a poet:
Desire by George Bilgere
The slim, suntanned legs
of the woman in front of me in the checkout line
fill me with yearning
to provide her with health insurance
and a sporty little car with personalized plates.
The way her dark hair
falls straight to her slender waist
makes me ache
to pay for a washer/dryer combo
and yearly ski trips to Aspen, not to mention
her weekly visits to the spa
and nail salon.
And the delicate rise of her breasts
under her thin blouse
kindles my desire
to purchase a blue minivan with a car seat,
and soon another car seat, and eventually
piano lessons and braces
for two teenage girls who will hate me.
Finally, her full, pouting lips
make me long to take out a second mortgage
in order to put both kids through college
at first- or second-tier institutions,
then cover their wedding expenses
and help out financially with the grandchildren
as generously as possible before I die
and leave them everything.
But now the cashier rings her up
and she walks out of my life forever,
leaving me alone
with my beer and toilet paper and frozen pizzas.
Desire by George Bilgere, 2012
Image: Vintage matchbox
Discussion
18 comments for “Vintage Marriage Fantasy”
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Am I loopy? I think that’s insanely romantic!
I’d posted another poem by George Bilgere, http://bit.ly/aaqxm8
When he alerted me to this new one “Desire,” he used the word, “romantic.” So you got his intentions exactly right!
Sigh. To be the object of desire would be nice.
I’m with Kit…I think it’s pretty damn romantic, too. Maybe not in a way that we’d all initially think of as romantic, but still…. 🙂
It boggles my mind to think of a man fantasizing about buying a washer/dryer.
I read this poem completely differently than you all, I think. It seems to me that he’s making fun of the way that women rush to such thoughts, when men never/rarely would.
Perhaps it says more about my state of mind…
Sarah Jeanne, I don’t see this poem as making fun of women. I think the poet is writing about genuine feelings. But I find it old-fashioned, since these days women can buy such things for themselves.
The picture…I can’t get past the picture. Where is Ms. Violet? Why doesn’t Ms. Blue have a right leg? Why doesn’t Ms. Indigo have ANY legs? So. Confused.
I also thought he was being sarcastic, but more mocking what we *actually* get out of (most) marriages rather than what we should/he wants. No mention of love, companionship, mental stimulation, fun. Just the basics of life, nothing more.
And that his desire to provide the basics of life are based solely on her physical appearance. He doesn’t even seem to be interested in getting to know her. Like I said, I read sarcasm. If that wasn’t his intent, well…
I’ve had romantic fantasies based on looks alone. Haven’t you?
Fantasies, yes. Romantic fantasies, not since high school.
[…] Honor Roll August 30 Bookmark or Share 0 comments I love this poem by George Bilgere.The slim, suntanned legs of the woman in front of me in the checkout line fill me […]
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It’s an excellently written joke. It’s not romantic or sexist. It’s about how fleeting romantic/sexual desire can tie you to a staid life of responsibility and materialism.
I just read George Bilgere’s poem again, having not seen it for awhile. Today, it strikes me as romantic. FYI, here’s a link to another of his poems. http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org
I believe this poem is satirical in tone. He is listing (somewhat bitterly) the frequent status quo fiscal outcome of desire/lust/love.
At the end of his long list of what engaging in his yearnings would cost, he is left alone with his much shorter (and cheaper)list of single man necessities: toilet paper, beer and frozen pizza.
Not meant to be romantic at all…but just my opinion.
i think its romantic and and political – i agree with leslie.
I think Sarah is on the right track… even though he realizes the material cost of the coupled life I think he wants it DESPITE the cost. It appeals to him more than his solitary existence.
BTW- where are the men on this? I’d like to hear from them.