The Old Couple There is an unspoken acceptance you share a silence no need to be entertaining and you are bore telling jokes told before It is an easy quietness each one has their own interest And to avoid problems a computer and two TV I do this, and you do that, and I carefully avoid sarcasm Which is arrogance badly concealed? There is much to learn from Soap Operas such as Hair- styles dresses are worn by slim actresses where a plot is easy to follow, why complicated a play to be academic writers are showing off. dense lines actors have to learn when it is about looking good show love and rage in five minutes intervals Always perfectly coiffured hair stays in place. Our secret is she is not listening to me nor am I hearing her this is what I call perfect harmony. Yet both know there will only be one of them a new silence that will be a burden on shoulders bent by age.