The Following Poem By Ruth Harmes Catkins ...

The following poem by Ruth Harmes Catkins portrays the pain a troubled marriage can cause. It’s called "He Said...She Said":

"Another marriage is shattered, Lord, the divorce will be final next week.

He said it was the breakdown of communication and the subtle infiltration of boredom. She said it was an accumulation of things.

He said she was unnecessarily preoccupied with home, children and activities.

She said he stifled her dreams and ignored her achievements.

He said he felt in prison, restricted; that night- after-night he got the old push-away.

She said he was harsh and brutal and often embarrassed her in public.

He said her critical attitude contributed to his sense of inadequacy.

She said she felt lonely and unappreciated with no claim to personal identity.

He said she wallowed in self-pity and refused to acknowledge her benefits.

She said he was shiftless and irresponsible.

He said she didn’t understand. She said he didn’t care. Lord, how tragic that through all the wasted years, neither of them asked what YOU’VE said."