Like This.

He has an italian wife.

They speak lovingly towards one another

she calls him amour

and he scolds her softly

but she cooks 

and smells the house up

with garlic, tomato sauce, warm bread.

she cleans

tends to the children

makes sure he is fed and happy.

she looks like

she needs a good night's rest

after a big plate of pasta.

the children cry

and she soothes them

with an italian accented, "Come here"

She is the pure essence

of what it means to be a woman:

intuitive, naturally graceful under pressure, loving

and knows what it takes to keep her man happy.

but he is

the pure essence of what it means to be a man:

strong, protective, and secure.

my heart swells at their marriage

and breaks

at the same time.