“As Close
to a Love Poem”
for
Friends ask us why
we
decided to get married,
friendly puzzlement
reflecting true affection.
As close to a love poem
as
I'll ever get.
Your daddy sits on our sofa,
blue
checked golf pants
and
orange sweater, rereading
Ice
Station Zebra. Mom's
white
blouse
on
a hanger in the sun
from
the padlock's clasp
to
the shed door.
I wake by water's edge
Willingly I'll say
there's been a
sweet marriage,
seabirds loud with dawn
in
the harbor. Last night's
boneless breast of roast duck
topped
with apple,
strong
sweet aftertaste
lingers
on. I won't forget your eyes,
the
way they saw, tears
streaming, as you recited
words
of Robert Duncan
and
I my Zukofsky, and I
would fill your
arms
as if with
flowers
with my forever
being there.
from What
