The Ballad of Dave and Sally

Post-isolation, Dave met his match—
Sally was grateful for someone to latch .
They said some things quite publicly
and together scrounged for property.

Promising their fervid testimonial
would not descend into a chimerical
quest, they agreed that they would raise
the best and lavish them genuine praise.

What you take beyond costs nothing,
though to remain you must make a living.
They held cabinet meetings over how to eat
while the kids belched Olly Olly Oxen Free!

Finicky months passed, fingers grew long
and the sustenance kept down.
This did not assuage Dave's concern
that the happy wage could not be earned.

A sea of books, or digital sprawl:
He felt that they should have it all.
He strove to win the intra-marital war
of I love you more, I love you more. 

Sally trusted him—the less they said,
the more doubt swelled inside Dave's head.
‘Till he quietly took out an insurance policy
that grew quite popular in the 21st century.

Purpose twists and beckons.
Dave slipped and, relieving his pension,
snapped his neck on their wooden fence.
The family lived off the interest.