Any Husband Or Wife

Carol Haynes

Let us be guests in one another's house
With deferential "no" and courteous "yes";
Let us take care to hide our foolish moods
Behind a certain show of cheerfulness.

Let us avoid all sullen silences;
We should find fresh and sprightly things to say;
I must be fearful lest you find me dull,
And you must dread to bore me anyway.

Let us knock gently at each other's heart,
Glad of a chance to look within – and, yet,
Let us remember that to force one's way
Is the unpardoned breach of etiquette.

So, shall I be host – you, the hostess,
Until all need for entertainment ends;
We shall be lovers when the last door shuts
But what is better still – we shall be friends