I was startled for the second time today.
Startled by the strength of your embrace.
Then I heard your whisper in my ear
– felt it rather, warm against my face
in fervent plea – “Never leave me!”
“Never,” you said. I could not step away
or laugh, as once I would have,
remembering how earlier today
I searched for words to ease another soul
and found them poor. Your fears I can abate
with simple words. I know you saw the same
pain as I – I know, my darling mate
that you, like I, can dream no sorer fate
than loss of love where once love grew.
You are not he, I am not she, and I
will never, by the grace of God, leave you.