Tarnished Silver

 

...................................Bert Collis

Tarnished Silver

"I now pronounce you man and wife."
But that was in another life
And with accumulated years
The silvered soft iced cake appears.

The flutes are filled and bubbles burst
Like promises for best or worst
As day by day and week by week
Sharp words drain blood from burning cheek

He likes mahogany, she favours pine;
She knocks back vodka, he savours wine.
Hers is the garden, although he cuts the lawn
And any innovation is met with silent scorn

"You're not going to...."
"Well if you must...."
Not much affection
Or even lust.

You meant the vows with all your heart
But time has torn you both apart.
The cake divides beneath the knife
And I denounce you, man and wife.