Marriage

In a marriage — given time
One person emerges
In the role —
Of the owner manager
Of the household

The other — in the role
Of a squatter —
Follower of rules
Set by the first

The problem —
Being structural
Defies solutions — within
The structure

Two equals —
In a structure — that demands
That one asserts — the other yields
Creates two people —
Coexisting —

Forced to tolerate —
At best — have space between —
To allow them
To tolerate — the other —
Inevitably —

In a marriage — as on a battlefield
The one that endures —
Sustains — truly wins
Is never the individual —
But the context — institution —
The field