Anniversary
May 27 2008

I asked the old man the secret to a long 
and happy marriage.
It’s memory, he said.
Where others keep track
of blind spots, and irritating habits,
he keeps looking back at his bride 
  -   who hasn’t changed a bit
since their wedding night.

I asked his wife the same
and she said forgetfulness
  -   letting go of his mistakes, his famous impatience,
without feeling he owes her one.

They still squabble 
over the same petty annoyances.
They know the soft underbelly
that can draw blood
but avoid it.
He remembers
how she likes her porridge in the morning,
and she forgets 
when he burns it.

I was searching for a great abiding truth.
I’m glad they gave it less thought
than I do;
that they accepted their life together
and made the best of it. 
Because analysis eviscerates things.
Introspection becomes an echo-chamber
that’s almost deafening.
Deep thinkers
do not marry well
or long. 
Their fate is to live by themselves
and die alone.