The Mismarriage

Ask the groom, “What does it mean,
this marriage you propose to enter?”
“It is so great; I cannot wait,
For this home where I’m the center.

“God has given me a mate,
a lovely helpmate of my own
for me to manage and direct.
She’ll be mine and mine alone.

“Church and country have ordained,
as in the marriage vows we’ll say;
she’ll promise me and no one else
to love and honor and obey.

Ask this bride what marriage means
And hear what she will say.
“A partnership, a caring bond
where each of us has equal sway.

“In any decisions to be made
About house or kids or money,
We’ll each listen respectfully,
And say, ‘I hear you, honey.’”

“Whether in sickness or in health,
Whether we’re rich or poor,
There’ll be no blame or calling names.
We’ll just love each other more.

But after years of love and war
There was nothing left to try
Not a single thing was left to do
That could make their marriage fly.

And so this poor mismarriage
Ended in bitter divorce
“To myself I must be true,”
Apart, each plied their course.