by Kenneth Hart

Featured Art: The Bathers by Roger de La Fresnaye 

 

 

Couples who fight in front of you. Couples

who call each other every hour. Couples

who show up early.

Couples who are business partners.

 

Couples who say “Absolutely.”

Couples who met in rehab.

Couples who sleep with other couples.

Couples who make out in front of you.

 

Couples who have been divorced more than twice.

Couples who should get divorced.

Couples who say they are not a couple.

Cocaine couples.

 

Couples who stop having sex.

Couples who tell you they stopped having sex.

Couples who think you don’t already know.

Couples who say “Absolutely.”

 

Couples you’re related to.

Couples who leave the television on.

Couples who wear matching t-shirts.

Football couples.

 

Couples who have “an arrangement.” Couples

who finish each other’s sentences. Couples

who have no one else to argue with. Couples

who never argue.

 

Couples who cancel each other’s vote.

Couples who speak the language of couples.

Couples with nicknames for each other.

Dog show couples.

 

Couples who stop calling now that they’re a couple.

Couples who start calling.

Couples who die within a month of each other. Oh

look, honey, at ourselves.

 

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Originally appeared in NOR 10.

Kenneth Hart received an MFA from Warren Wilson College in 1998. He teaches writing at New York University, works in the family roofing business, and gives readings and workshops for the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.