Emancipate Yourself

   Ever been with a toxic jerk? Most of us have, except for maybe some Buddhists and a few very wise and careful folks. Anyway, I've been with a few. Yeah, women can be jerks too, Alas, we live and learn - HOPEFULLY.

   In this painting, Emancipation Cafe, we have a newly empowered woman. She just left a real ass. Maybe he was abusive, or maybe he was generally a pain in the ass. Who knows. Whatever the case, SHE LEFT. That's where the power comes in.

   When you stay and stay in a bad relationship, it never gets better. Bad is bad, negative is negative is negative, or boring is just...BORING!

   The next time you find yourself sitting around watching some bad TV, and you're like, "Hey, I'm unhappy in this relationship!", get the bloody hell out. You'll emancipate yourself. There's no greater feeling than that. You can trust me on that. XO.

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My muse and wife, Misty, is a gifted poet. This painting inspired her to write this poem.

Emancipation Cafe

The road's been twelve long years
and maybe ten more miles.
A short stop couldn't hurt,
I tell myself, pulling over.
My over-laden Civic, grateful for the rest.
I drag my weary body inside,
plopping with a loud thud
into a booth, exhausted and drained.
Yet somehow, slightly buoyant,
The initial taste of freedom
barely tickles my tongue.
"Dumped the jerk, did ya?"
The waitress grinned,
her heavily lined brown eyes shone 
in a knowing solidarity.
"Coffee?"
I nod, hardly surprised.
My outer bruises have healed
But the inner ones, they're still with me,
on my face,
in my heart
like badges of honour,
war wounds from an unknown battle
"Slice - a - cake, on the house,"
The waitress returned,
"Strength for the journey."
I gratefully accept,
pay for the coffee, 
and continue down the road
to my new life.