Mea Culpa or Words Matter

( Devised from a Writing Class prompt )

He was too old for me, by years

Hair sprouted from his nose and ears

His teeth were yellow, his breath was vile

But that’s not why I killed him

He dressed for comfort, snow and rain

In shirts displaying armpit stains

And trousers stinking of the fields

But that’s not why I killed him

His room was filthy, dirt and grime

And eggy dishes, greased with time

He smelt of ancient compost bins

But that’s not why I killed him

He kept cash tight, and would not pay

For any treat or special day

He loathed my cooking, called me dim

But that’s not why I killed him

It wasn’t because he talked for hours

Nor yet the lack of gifts of flowers

But he never said “darling”, and he ne’er said ”dear”

Didn’t matter at first, but after a year

He’d never said he loved me, no not once –

And that is why I killed him