What Makes a Marriage?

It has been almost forty years Since we had taken our marriage Vows. Yes, we are still together. I guess that means something today Considering most never last More than, I suspect, a few years; Sometimes I can understand why Marriage is not a piece of cake. In the beginning all is fine Everything is brand spanking new But that finish dulls quite quickly. That moment after the “I do’s” The gravity of the marriage Begins to materialize. Vowing for better or for worse Were just words uttered thoughtlessly. Like reciting a bedtime prayer Never actually listening To each word we recite by rote The truth is, marriage is both words “Better” is a relative term: What could be considered better For me would not necessarily Be the same view held by my wife. Therefore we are both compromised And there’s the rub of the matter. Marriage is a balancing act That’s between better and the worse. Learn the knack of juggling the two The marriage will certainly last. In those years we’ve become a team And we’re both still madly in love.