End to Marital Sparring

                   She is ravaged by dispiriting
                    effects of castoff age

                    Where she always laughed
                    when I teased
                    then counterpunched
                    with welterweight grace

                    she worries now I expect
                    her to be counted out
                    on faded canvas
                    and carted off the ring

                    I live to comfort her
                    she does not fall alone