top of page
Couple Cement
It’s not a modern invention
been around since Ug dragged Wa
into a cave, a bearskin-dropping hug
that lasted forty summers, forty winters
It’s the mortar pyramids are bonded with
holding deep in their wombs
secrets of Pharaohs and their wives
quizzical chambers pointing to stars
that kept them together
on earth as they are in heaven
Today, they’re still holding on
these stone-faced couples
forged at times from substances
alchemists claimed uncojoinable
You find them everywhere
at parents meetings, in church pews
withstanding forces that endeavour
to split apart, seek other liasons
Later chapters find them still there
true to their beliefs, their vows
standing together yet alone
back-to-back in knotted harness
and while they seldom speak of it they
mouth differing explanations, quote
conflicting sources, seem to sigh
as they hoist their shackles, stumble
off, two steps forward, one rearward
back to their cave, their sphinx-like pose
How do you say in caveman tongue
here lie the bones of Ug and Wa
cemented for all time in discomfort
how do you write in hieroglyphics
— for the sake of the children?
© Johnmichael Simon
2011
.
bottom of page