Letter from a Husband

My wife could be a concert pianist,
maybe the best there is,
but my mother insists
it isn't enough until
she cooks the traditional fish curry.

My wife could be a literary theorist,
but my mother-in-law feels
she is a failure if
she can't vacuum properly.

My wife is the fellow-traveler I need
and I married,
and I insist,
she steer clear of these houses we could never live in,
steer clear of the kitchen
and the laundry.

I can get my own dinner,
as long as you promise
to read me your poetry.