have you met her yet?

the husband,

the man of the house,
so called.

asks me if I've met the lady
of the house.

he rolls his eyes
and looks over his shoulder
as if

a monster might lurk
behind him.

i see her across the yard,
with a spade
in hand

digging into the earth,
angrily.

yes. i tell him and cross myself.
we had words
earlier.

to which he says, be careful,
be cautious.

trust me, i know, it's been
fifty years.