So tonight is Date Night
Pretend-to-like-your-mate night
Distract yourself by getting dressed up to the nines
Grab yourself some us time
Important-topics-to-discuss time
The sorry, short term suture of good food and fine wines
It’s putting-on-a-show night
Don’t-let-anybody-know night
That what you’d really rather be is home on your own
Glasses raised – we do deserve this
It’s our union, let’s preserve this
Nodding as you kill an urge to quickly check your phone
It’s a weekly, woeful test here
“They only serve the best here…”
A forensic dissection of every glass and every dish
There’s some things I’d like to tell you
Things likely to repel you
It’s just easier to bite your tongue and focus on the fish
Talk about anything but the kids, though
And not a marriage on the skids, though
We exchange a multitude of words yet barely, rarely, speak
Unwelcome help to put your coat on
Concealed in each and every proton
A graceless, craven solace it’s over for another week
Jemima Laing 