relief, n;
1. a white car
stopping,
(the hasty introductions)
as you drove us home.
2. familiar conversation
in a language i speak,
a subject i am well-versed on.
3. finally being told
what
had
changed.

joy, n;
1. standing on the slick steps,
water spraying on our faces every few minutes:
we're disgusting, we said,
my single-self is gagging.
2. the woman at express
telling us
how cute we were
together.
3. together.

understanding, n;
1. your stiffening shoulders
when the song
began.
adj;
1. every time
i have cried in your arms.
2. i know now why you thought
i would be angry.

betrayal, n;
1. a year
is a long time
for
people
our
ages.
2. i would have married you.
3. i'm sorry.
4. i'm sorry.
5. i'm sorry.
6. hypothetically,

trust, n;*
1. we agreed,
and we broke the agreement
together, happily.
2. i know now why you thought
i would be angry.
3. we will always fall into
this, darling.