George and I were married 4 years ago when I was only 83 and he was 85. We are older now and have developed a few off-putting traits which can occur in any marriage. But over-eighties have some unique problems. For instance he still likes beef and I prefer chicken. That may be because he still has some real teeth and mine are the kind that come out at night. There’s no way I am able to knaw on a beef steak and I’ve given up trying. When George wants steak, he cooks supper.

Differences which occur in marriages of older people are often circumstancial. In our case, even though we both wear glasses, George has better vision than me. Conversely, though we both wear hearing aides, I can “out-hear” him.

Closed Captioning’s upon TV
for senior couples’ harmony.
Hard of hearing ears decline
at different rates and different times.

M”Put on your ears!” I yell at him.
“I cannot think above the din”
and he in plaintive tones erupts,
“The volume’s only halfway up!

With hearing aids he now is listening
to words that sound as if they’re whispering.
My hearing aids I now install
to watch my favourite show of all.

British shows have women cops
who tell their male subordinates off.
Vera drives the countryside
finding villains, solving crimes.

This evening we will watch Netflix
a show we’ve both had time to check.
Closed Captioning is on the screen
To fill us in on what has been.

Our hearing aids no longer needed
All we have to do is read it.

PS Best purchase ever! George now has a set of headphones.