He asked her how many
Breaks she needed
From work, possibly
(she must have quit)
Or school, maybe
(no plans, apparently)
How about him?

She answered
It was easy for him
With his job
(a banker)
With his security
(pension plans)
To preach prudence

He continued his campaign
Against letting go
She said for freedom
(from a dead end job)
He argued for stupidity
(no plan it seemed)
And no backup

She fought him
In self defense
Fenced his words
And stripped their relationship
Exposed all
Their personal values
Until they left
The open compartment train