The Couple

by Helen Lemus


He
Tall and thin
Anglo like an Alfred Hitchcock hero
Given to grits and eggs
Likes butter and warm muffins
Walks on neatly paved sidewalks
With lines that direct
Past policeman
Present reporter
Always able to ask the right questions
Patient as a mountain
Vain as an ambitious supermodel
Loves her passionately.

She
Short and plump
Like a Roma tomato
Juicy and usually smiling
Given to paprika and garlic
Likes Beethoven and John Lee Hooker
Walks barefoot on grass
Picks up acorns and seeds in hopes
Of seeing something grow
Amidst the asphalt
Past technician
Present poet
Always able to fix a satisfying meal
Patient as the ocean
Vain as a baby monkey
Loves him passionately.

They
Laugh at absurdity,
Plenty of it nowadays.


* * * * *

Mrs. Helen Lemus works at arranging and rearranging words in Miami, Florida. She has been published in Poet's Choice, Video Librarian and enjoys working as an online essay writing tutor. She struggles with the hyphenated culture of her birth and makes great Cuban stews for her husband. Their two cats rule her world, and that is perfectly fine with her.