[Jayne Osborn]

Bob,
Perhaps I haven’t made the whole premise clear enough. The “other woman” isn’t guilty of anything else but crying and being miserable. She’s me, but only “now and then”, so there’s no need to know any more about the “weeping version”.
Others have mentioned the stock phrases, or clichés, which I’m working to replace.

Hilary,

My thought is that perhaps this other woman is the clinically depressed version of the N's self.

You’ve absolutely nailed what I’m trying to say! I avoid descriptions like “clinically depressed” (see my reply to Richard in post #8) so I hope my revision might make the whole situation more clear.

Glenn,
I’m glad you enjoyed this sonnet. Yes, the bad wife really is imprisoned in the good wife! They’re both me. My husband has taken to bringing me a cup of tea in bed, enquiring (with a grin) which one I am today. I’m happy to report that 99% of the time I’m the latter.

Thanks for sharing your poem and for all you do.

Thank you, Glenn. That's very kind, and means a lot.

Yves,
Gosh, I’ve never actually listened closely to the lyrics to Babooshka, so thank you for highlighting their meaning. When the “bad wife” is around, it is rather “a fraught journey” as you say, but, thankfully, it’s also short-lived.
I’m afraid I’ll never be remembered for incorporating imagery, metaphor, etc. into my poems; for better or worse, I can only tell it as it is, in everyday language. It appeals to some people, but I acknowledge that others would like more.

Jim,
Thank you for coming back. I liked your “sharing a pot of tea in peace” idea for the ending, but it tended to make me feel old, …even though I am!
And yes, I think you understand that writing this kind of poem is largely for the catharsis it brings about.

My thanks to all of you.

Jayne