That Missing Half

You married her 'coz she was sweet,
and soft-spoken - or so you thought;
you knew she was active and loved outings -
but she'll change, you thought, given time...

But what you didn't expect was that she won't -
and could be very stubborn - wouldn't budge!
And the more you shouted, the angier she got -
and the more you scolded, the worse she got!
(what you didn't know or refuse to know was -
that she would have listened,
if only you had reasoned
instead of shouting
(which makes her blood boil, too!)
'coz she's a fighter
(and a fighter does not quit or retreat!)
when she is championing the rights of a woman...

She would have listened if only you had coaxed -
but no, you had to raise your voice - shout!
she would have sobered and listened
if you had told her you cared for her safety:
to be driving alone in the jungle,
or on the lonely road home to see her family...
you could have been nicer, instead of angrier,
and her heart would have melted...

And she would have understood:
that you cared - in your own way...