Song of Marriage

Some look down their noses at us and comment.
“You’re so young! Why are you married?”
Us whole is hard work. It’s too easy to fall apart.
A lot of it is scheduling but we’ve had a year of practice.

I have become adjusted to being alone
every third day. Silence in this big house is broken by
echoes of the dogs barking against the tile downstairs
or Charlie the cat meowing loudly to himself at two am.
The hum of the ceiling fan over the bed sings me to sleep.
I never thought I would be comfortable
with entire days of quiet or solitude. But I am now.

No one had to tell me that marriage is talking.
Talking to you about money, the pets, the house, children.
“Be sure to leave things outside the marriage at the doorstep.”
I think we’re good at that. Broken homes can produce good matches.

Which groceries are more important to buy
and which can wait til the next paycheck?
Milk, we always need milk. Bring some home just in case.
Did you remember to fix the closet door?
I don’t want it falling on me.
I think the purple room door needs sanding too.
Do you need help? I have no idea where the screwdriver is.

I know having a handicapped pet is difficult,
but don’t you agree that he came to us for the right reasons?
Too many people I know would put Hunter down
instead of buying him a wheelchair
that cost as much as the tires my Honda needs.
You want to foster another dog? Really?
Yeah I’m in, but what about starting a family in two years?
Or our trip to Europe after my graduation?
You know most people who foster end up adopting right?
Well, let’s get a senior. They need homes the most.

I took the dogs to the beach today since you were at the station.
You should’ve seen Hunter in the waves in his chair. He loved it.
He played with other dogs and he ran across the sand with Cooper.
Several people blessed me, blessed us.

What do you want for dinner? Did you thaw the chicken?
We can do spaghetti; it’s your favorite and simple.
Want to watch a movie while I do schoolwork?
Do you still have that practice burn tomorrow?
Lake afterwards? We could bring the dogs to swim
and take a walk afterwards. It does sound nice.

You bought another rug? Yeah, that’s fine, the tile makes my feet cold.
It was only thirty seven dollars? Definitely worth it.
It matches the dining room, let’s put it in there.

Do you remember the toast your dad gave at our wedding last year?
He said he thought each person has a certain amount of words
to use in their life and you’re quiet, not because I talk so much,
but because you’re running out of words and we need them?
I think about that speech every day. He was right.