the marriage begins

in the new house
he measures
from top to bottom.
carefully,
side to side.
presses
tape into an x
where he decides to
hang
the picture,
as discussed.
he takes the nail
that waits
between his clenched
teeth
then drives it with
a hammer
into the wall.
the picture goes up,
balanced on a stiff wire.
he stands back.
she comes into the room
and says no.
we need to move it three
inches to the left.
the marriage begins.