Marriage at 73

I thought marriage at 73
Was a goal worth winning,
Now I realize what I want
Is to be part of a couple
Committed to a life
Partner unfettered
By legal restraints
And paperwork
Living together
Day-to-day
Sharing
What
Is
Left of our lives,
A goal now achieved.
Perhaps the casualness
Of Southern California has
Softened my Presbyterian credo
Of hard Knox & Calvinist d-klein
Of all or nothing, allowing me
To go with the tempo of life
Here in the sunshine and
Gentle rains of winter
With all in bloom in
Late December
And an early
Spring soon
To come.
More
Relaxed
Here than
On the northern
Borders of the South
Where frosty mornings
Required a winter’s
Supply of cords or
Endure the cold
Whereas here
Such harsh
Choices
Seem
To
Vanish
Though I
Am adamant
Against eating lotus.
I am happy here eating
Arugula & spinach salads
While my other half waters
Her garden and our dog
And cats in the yard
Play catch until the
Dusk darkens,
Take time to
Eat, watch
TV then
Read and sleep.