Sinking By Holding A Straw Poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

Married for four decades, my wife and I
Live without corporal intimacy,
Both spending our time with respective sex
And yet companionship binds us.

We would speak to each other on matters.
We would nag each other on issues.
Stale to each other, we’re particular
That the other has no one to flirt with.

She’s the only guy I could depend on
And I’m the only guy she could depend on,
Siblings and offspring having drifted off.
We would reserve what we have till we die.

The future is bleak as we both grow weak.
In case of one falling as bed ridden,
The other would be useless and yet we cling
Like one grabbing a straw, while drowning.
27.09.2010