On: Track Suits and Tandem Bikes...

When Jon and I are old, we shall wear matching track suits
With reflective tape, which doesn't go and doesn't suit our tandem bike.
We shall spend our retirement on travel and box sets of our favorite TV medical dramas
And kitchen gadgets and say we've no money for floss.
We shall make loud noises to clear paths when youth monopolize aisle-ways.
And gobble up samples at farmers markets
And learn to fence
And make up for the sobriety of our youth.
We shall go out in our bath robes to fetch the morning paper.
And sneak into other people's swimming pools when they are on vacation.
And learn to spit.

We could wear socks with sandals and grow pudgy.
And eat an entire cake between the two of us
Or only gold fish and cranberry juice for a week
And hoard clicky-top pens and text books and dinner mints and things in space bags.

But now we must have clothes that are suitable for work
And pay our bills and not swear in public
And set a good example for the children.
We must go out with friends and watch the news.

But maybe we ought to practice a little now?
So people who know us are not too surprised
When suddenly we are old, and start to wear track suits.

(A tribute to another Jennifer)