First time buyers

First Time Buyers

He shuffled in his seat -
They weren't married yet,
And a brush with the solicitor
Seemed as close as you could get.

She asked all the questions
From her carefully written list
Designed for parental approval
Which didn't yet exist

He thumbed a wad of properties
Swathed in estate-agentese,
Trying to find the patio
Where his mind would feel at ease.

She wanted something legal -
A signed up policy
To prove that she meant business
To her friends and family.

He imagined a house in the country -
Half a mile from a village pub -
Where he could throw all night parties
With no neighbours to disturb.
He could go for walks to the village
Escaping domestic bliss
If their newly mortgaged lifestyle
Went occasionally amiss.

She saw work and commitment
As material manifestations
Of their hopes, where a house would focus
Their mutual aspirations.
The neighbours would serve as competitors
In the race for the happiness stakes
Where ideally to move somewhere better
Would show them they've got what it takes.

The solicitor spoke of tradition
"We still use sealing wax you know,"
Then stared up at the ceiling
Interrupting his own flow.
"We like to see couples upholding
The tradition of owning a home,
And we'll have it signed, sealed and delivered
As soon as you've secured a loan."

He felt claustrophobic.

She felt more secure.

He wanted out of this office.......

She wanted her own front door.