Oliver

I told Oliver more than once,
however, being young and dumb,
like most his age,
Oliver did not listen to the warning.
Now he has nothing.
 
At 34 years old, Oliver had everything
most people his age would want.
A loving wife, three beautiful children,
a spacious home and a great job.
All Oliver had to do was keep it together
and live the perfect dream.
 
Oliver was a bit of a follower,
so he spent more than one evening
with the rest of the boys after work.
Call them boys because men
go home to help take care of the family.
These boys did not even try.
They had drinks until dark,
then stumble home to wives
that happened to give up
or secretly found something else.
 
Oliver spent a few years
repeating the same boyish steps.
Pay time was the worse time.
Sometimes he di not make it home
and never gave it a second thought.
 
It all changed when Oliver went up north
to work for six long, labour weeks.
Extra monies to be sent home
except it never made it there.
Up north, work was known
for its drinking play time
and that is exactly what Oliver did for six weeks
until it was time to head home.
 
Walking up the driveway
Oliver was met by stacked boxes,
a staring, soon to be ex-wife,
who never said a word.
Standing beside her was Oliver’s replacement
just in case Oliver made a scene.
She had taken so much,
waited so long for him to grow.
She had enough.
 
This was three years ago
and today, Oliver is the same.
The drinking elder
is now teaching the others to be boys.
 
Oliver truly did not learn.
He never sees his children,
blaming this on others
as well as his empty wallet.
All other’s fault, never his.
 
Oliver was warned about all of this
however, did not listen
and made his excuses
to be one of the boys.
One of the alone boys.
 
June 10, 2026
@Andrew Scott – Just a Maritime Boy 2026