For our anniversary you gave me nothing;

I give you this split pin as symbol of marriage.

Its top is gold and glossy - brave face to the world.

Its function is to hold together collected papers;

Our marriage has assorted children, houses

memories of great days and grim determination.

Underneath, the two prongs are bent apart;

As years flowed past our lives have drifted

down different channels of home and work.

Has the split pin served its purpose?

Should we bend the prongs, part the papers,

throw the battered object in the bin?