Rituals
We lay there –
I, draped along the sofa while she curls herself
inside the bend of my legs
They, by contrast, stand sentry
seated side by side in the large chair near the fireplace
poised. ready
Over and over we replay this scene –
Coco and me, Annie and my husband
They inevitably glance our way and wonder aloud
at our less than dignified way of watching the evening news
What’s important is the ritual
An imperceptible click
unfolding the quilt
a bit of room purposely left on the right side of the chair seat
Silently Coco and Annie appear. showtime.
