ADVICE TO AN ARTIST ON CHOOSING A WIFE
May
the gods bless you
with
a wife who understands you
If
you are not so fortunate
may
she accept you for who you are
and
if not this
at
least put up with you
If
she cannot put up with you
may
she not kick you out
or
if she does
not
also call the police
or
the Mental Health Institute
but
even if she does
may
she not inflict bodily harm
or
drive you to cut off an ear
though
should this happen
may
the blade be clean
and
not cause infection
Yet
if serious harm comes to you
may
she at least spare your work
and
not destroy it
and
if she must
let
her forget the work
hoarded
by your friends
If
she knocks on their doors
may
they not be home
or
refuse to answer
or
escape out the back door
and
if she catches up with them at last
May
God have mercy on their souls
--
Charles Deemer