We Now Pronounce Us

         We Now Pronounce Us

in my mind we are married
two strings tangled almost into a knot
our separate resources pooled into one pot
does it matter that we have tarried?

for years we have flirted, exerted, fought
through times both joyous and distraught
so that now when we feel attacked, harried
I do not feel ashamed, or even that I ought

those who would gainsay us can all rot
they want our relationship questioned, buried
for them I respond with a snortful of snot
because everyone else's noses in our business be damned
I love you . . . a lot

so in my mind we are married
despite all the crap and flak we have caught
but for lack of a piece of paper to be carried
which by itself might make me feel that we are not