Through uncommon tears,
I said "I love you"
in the basement, under a
de riguer traffic light.

I so wonderfully executed
shedding parts of me
that didn't fit to you---  
but you peeled me,
rind and all.

you said that if
"I were to start reading it,
John is a good place to start"

You said we were not
'evenly yoked,'

and I said
that we are not oxen.