(In memory of Baucis and Philomen)  

No one cleans up the orange juice
spilled last week on the front porch
or plasters the ceiling
where the roof leaked.
No one pulls weeds,
even in front of the house,
or vacuums the cellar stairs.
Dusty drapery covers
a cracked window pane.  

They check each other’s
breathing during the night,
wait for each other
to wake in the morning.
They manage to put groceries away,
take garbage out,
pay the telephone bill,
visit cardiologists.
He likes to wrap his arms
around her in the morning
while waiting
for coffee to brew.

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