it would take time

in time it seemed that there wasn't much
to say anymore.
everything had been said.
quiet held enough conversation
in itself to get them through a day.
it took time, him being home from work,
retired now, and she
no longer teaching at the school.
no longer having to drive
an hour straight down route 4,
then back home at 3 p.m. that afternoon.
it was hard now
to be together with so much time.
so much space needing to be filled
with things to do.
they found it was easier to sleep
in separate rooms, take walks alone,
or make trips to the store for things
they didn't need.
only the holidays felt normal.
the ritual of trees and lights
to be hung, the talk of food,
the size of the turkey to be bought,
who was coming, or where they
would travel, to her relatives
or his. even the dog sensed
this awkward new stage of life.
he seemed to be uncertain who to
go to for a walk, whose bed
to sleep in. they didn't see any
of this coming. there was love
there, but somehow the shine of life,
was diminished without struggle,
without the worry of money,
or in having to work.
there was love there, to be sure,
but this new life would take time.