not a couple

every couple fights
about money about attention about
    harmless searing flirtations
    temptations, indiscretions and
    thoughts

every couple fights about passion
   and lack of passion
about furniture, fixtures, fantasies and
   families
   all those dysfunctional families and

we don't fight about any of that
    because we are
                   not a couple
and we fight about that

knowing what i want you
   choose to escape and
knowing what you want i
   senselessly cling
   a mess of depressed repression
unappealing
   stealing every ounce of hope
from the air

and you repeat (repeat, repeat) that
   we are NOT a couple but

what about this love?


-- douglas brent smith