Machines and Machinations - a fine balance

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Machines and Machinations

a fine balance...

My Beloved has a love
of machines
with gaudy exteriors
and powerful thrums








I have absolutely no interest
in these machines
Instead I have a love
for the machinations
of the human mind and spirit










Over the years
we have developed a fine balance
Beloved indulges his passion
for vehicle nostalgia
by tenderly dismantling machines
bolt by bolt
panel by panel









and then
restoring each component
and lovingly reassembling the pieces
like a giant Meccano set -
He calls it 'his therapy'









My garage space
has been usurped
by two big metal beasts









I,
on the other hand,
indulge my passions









for books,
psychology,
teaching
and making
in other ways










but with equally the same
commitment and joy









We have come to learn
over thirty seven years
of marriage
that we can each follow
and satisfy our interests









support each other in their's
and come back to meet
in many other areas










This week
Beloved and son #1
have been as busy as bees
attending to final preparations
for their annual day
of fumes and noise
at the drag strip venue









in what is a now
a national event
that they created
called Mopar Sunday

It takes a lot of time
effort and focus
but provides much more
in terms of building a community
and sharing a passion

Although they have held this event
for six consecutive years
I have never attended









and Beloved knows
that I never will

We have an understanding -
we are free to follow
our own interests
where they may lead










and the enjoyment and the rewards
that we reap as a result
we bring back within ourselves
to our special togetherness









enriching our partnership
We have engineered
a fine balance

A Fine Balance

is also the title
of a book by Indian writer,
Rohinton Mistry,
which I heartily recommend

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