the secret of a long marriage

everyone

asks

the elderly couple who

have been

married

for fifty years,

what's their secret

for this long

and fruitful marriage.

the wife laughs,

then

goes on

and on about how

they've stayed

together

through hard times

and tears.

she barely takes the time

to take a breath of air,

and then

it's the man's turn,

who smiles gently 

and pulls 

the cotton balls

from his ears.