Roses R Red
Violets B Blue
Gardens G Whiz
But they don’t touch U

I’d get more done
If I didn’t keep thinking
About the time you
Tickled my neck
And told me
That I work too much

It would be easy to find another
Comfortable sweatshirt
Authentic Mexican restaurant
Sporty automobile
It would not be easy to find
Your scent in the fabric
Your smile across the table
Your hair to catch the wind

Melted ice cream on a plate
Left to the sun and the ants
The cupcake was delicious
With icing in the shape of a heart
The breeze was enough
To keep us cool as we looked up
At the leaves of the big tree
And talked about the future
Our fingers were sticky
Your lips were sweet
We watched the birds
Who must think us curious
If you live outdoors
A picnic is a silly idea

Laundry day.
Kids need us.
Places we must drive to.
Mail is piling up.
The bus is coming!
We’re out of milk.
Who will mow the lawn?
Dentist appointments.
Check the tires.
Is all the homework done?
Clean your rooms!
She has a slight fever.
Whose mess is this?
We need toilet paper.
Where are my shoes?
Time for piano practice!
Take out the trash.
Movie tonight?
Yay!! Popcorn!!
I got an A on my test.
I love you, mommy.

Shovel the driveway
Or go sledding?
A carrot stick
Or another cookie?
Take a shower
Or take a long shower?
Prepare for tomorrow
Or enjoy tonight?
Count your money
Or spend your money?
Make a plan
Or flip a coin?
Wrinkle your forehead
Or show your grin?
Act your age
Or moon the crowd?
Look before
Or just leap?

Unless

Elegance comes with time
To replace the awkwardness
Of innocence
The world gets smaller
And possibility
Turns to compromise
The way she looked
Is now a photograph
Behind glass
The flowers he brings
Now go first
Into the vase
The kiss once electric
Feels like a ritual
Unless

Big eyes at mine
You know my thoughts
It could frighten to
Be so naked
Accepting is not
Surrender but
Instead completion
To look back is
Only for the feint
Of hearts

My bonnie lies over an ocean
Of comforter and pillows
On this king size bed
If only we were poor

Will she?
Will he?
Melody and countermelody
Notes ascend
The bass swells
A trill and then
Crescendo

Merry I had a little
Tuffet was her seat
Reached for my pipe
Reached for my bowl
And did the pumpkin eat

Incorporation

Verily, thou dost protest too much
What part of yes is hard to say?
It cannot be that we cannot be
Together in more than business
Negotiation is warranted
Mutual benefit may ensue
You should now agree
To share the wealth between us

Words can only try
To explain and convey
The power of what we feel
When we are quiet together

Little do they know
All of the watchers
They see clasped hands
And two rings
It isn’t the way
They imagine it
A world contains us
But we have
Between ourselves
A universe