Choosing a wife is not exactly like choosing <br />a dog. Look out, naturally, <br />for bright eyes and well-groomed hair, <br /> <br />but avoid yapping and a wet <br />nose. Treasure, though, <br />absolute loyalty and the fetching of slippers <br /> <br />after another day’s difficulties; and <br />choosing a wife is not exactly like choosing <br />a car. A sporty model, nought to sixty <br /> <br />in a few seconds and responsive <br />to skilful handling is of course rewarding, <br />but understand what you may have to pay <br /> <br />in running costs, quite apart from <br />the constant risk of theft—don’t miss <br />the point, that what matters is <br /> <br />getting from here to there, and the journey <br />may be long and unpredictable; and then remark <br />that choosing a wife is not exactly like choosing <br /> <br />a house. Comfort is desirable, and room <br />for growth and improvement <br />but do not be fooled by the agent’s <br /> <br />carefully-angled photographs; <br />decide instead how it will look <br />on a wet November evening <br /> <br />with the kitchen demanding a coat of paint <br />and the kids avoiding their homework, <br />and consider the work on your part <br /> <br />needed to make it into <br />the home you always hope for; <br />only then will you realise <br /> <br />choosing a wife was much more like <br />being chosen, and when you weigh up <br />what’s on offer from that perspective <br /> <br />you will be glad that sometimes she lets love <br />get in the way of her otherwise <br />unerringly good judgment.<br /><br />Godfrey Rust<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/choosing-a-wife/
