COUPLES

Two people meet.
They smile.
they giggle.
They flirt.
They joke.
They laugh.
They're giddy.
They are intrigued.
They are infatuated.
They are smitten.
They dance.
They touch.
They hope.
They dream.
They fall in love.
They become a couple.
It's magical.
It's joyful.
It's beautiful, in a riding off into the sunset sort of way.
The years go by.
The couple gets tired.
They gripe.
They complain.
They criticize.
They argue.
They hit below the belt.
They sulk.
They're bored.
They're restless.
They're suspicious.
They're bitter.
They're disallusioned.
They no longer touch.
They dream separate dreams.
They're sad.
They're empty.
They're lonely.
They are no longer in love.
They are a couple in name only.
It's ugly.
And it's painful.
And in hurts like no physical pain can ever hurt.
Unless...
The opposite happens.
And the couple grows.
They inspire.
They listen.
They care.
They encourage.
They understand.
They accept.
They still laugh.
They still touch.
They dream brand new dreams.
They triumph.
They endure.
They are more in love than ever.
Because they are the rare couple that lasts.