2

My beloved cannot, may not, will not execute
The unworthy act hold
Her pretty feet to the fire set
Entire cities ablaze prod
Her with the ironmonger’s hot poker,
Withhold lemonade, shout a vigilante’s heated threat
She will in no way tolerate the unworthy act though thieves waylay her,
Waters be shaken by hurricane,
Collapse of the very streets on which her feet set down.

Here, she says, hold my hand
Say me no platitudes
Lower no empty bucket
Into my well
Simultaneously don’t be suckered by a girl’s soft speech flush
Of rosy cheek flash
Of leeward limb
The bonny disposition of starlets on parade look:
Me once a mere old-fashioned girl faint of heart, grace, and intellect see
How pigeon-toed and halting my every step, an imbecile child stirred
To tearful disarray by any shadow haunting floor or wall an unkind word
Found the woman you are said to love shivering
Through night’s repast Fathom me
Now chewing to the bone
These very fingernails, my ratcheting sobs was
That only yesterday?