That’s the difficulty
of all marriage,
that there is no continuing,

there is only the daily choice
& on a Tuesday
in October there might not

be a single embrace
that follows
the affirmation.

To take
& to celebrate
that which will not

touch you after
you promise one more
promise, that is tough,

but to continue to be
chosen, even if that choice
is a practical one

by Emily,
that is a good start
to any story on any day.

# # #

Darren C. Demaree is the author of five poetry collections, most recently “The Nineteen Steps Between Us” (2016, After the Pause Press). He is the Managing Editor of the Best of the Net Anthology and Ovenbird Poetry. He is currently living in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children. Read more here: www.darrencdemaree.com

Photo credit: Terri Malone