Ode to Wives

How do you know

     so much about me

     and I so little of you?

Taking me aback

     when least expected

"Do you think you should visit

     Joe (the barber) soon?

We have community Dessert & Games nite Saturday."

And how is it

    you notice my long hair and beard

    when I never do?

Rare is the time

     I trim and shave my cheeks

    and then you say

"Oh how nice you look!"

And I know you mean it

    because other friends say it too

    not just the women.

Or on cleaning day

    when you say

"Help me flip your mattress.

Didn't you say it was lumpy?"

And I ask myself,

    How did she remember that?

Or on Movie night with Barb

    and you ask

" Why don't you change that ratty shirt

     for the nice one I just bought?"

Unasked,

    you had bought two,

    hearing "I need more long sleeved tops,"

    two weeks earlier

Or before the Baha'i Assembly meeting

     and you ask nicely

 "Should you change for our guests?"

     and I put the other new top on.

Or "Did you brush for the dentist?"

     before leaving for my cleaning appointment.

Or "I taped Agent Carter for you

     why don't you watch that

     while I'm at the PTA meeting?"

Or "Where would you like to go

     for dinner tonite?"

Or "I sent your Mom a birthday card

     from both of us."
And to Dad, and brothers and wives, sister and husband.

Or "Did you see you were tagged 
     on Facebook yesterday?"
Of course not.

I used to resent the nagging

     until I realized

Hell, it's all for my benefit
     she cares about me more than I do!

And that was twenty years ago

      and I've been a happier husband since

Or, rarely, "Would you mind

     going to Acme for skim milk?

     I ran out."

And finally it dawns

     How rare she asks me to do something for her!

How rare in fact

     she asks for anything for herself

     except me to look my best

     except me to remember -- to be nice

I marvel at her noticing

      not rare like mine

At her caring that much

      to remember

 that she still loves me

Copyright 2015 Rodney Richards