Marriage Prep

We sit in chairs
too far apart
our lovebird hands
stretch to clasp fingertips

the counselor asks hard questions
for twenty-somethings
who share our sparkling eyes
but don't yet know
how life tumbles you

These chairs are placed
at safe distance
for other couples our age
who come with dead eyes

because once upon a time
an average day turned stormy
as one looked at the other
in that unsparkling way
and sneered

We sit politely
answer questions in turn
stir as something dark
turns under the soil

a buried spouse
a rescinded vow
and we swear this
time will be different
because we are