When Love comes at Last

how horrifically sad
when love comes at the last

he is so much older
more complex
sadder
than she shall ever be

he pays her rent
lifts her when she’s down
knows her better than she knows herself

and will die far too soon

how can she trade the endless years of her life
for his moments?
how can love be so curel
that it gives only to snatch back
how can she watch hin die?

die
die
die
she chants it to herself
to him behind his back
to the most unfair of the gods – Love

would that she had never met this god . . .
would that he had never called her name and made her love him
would that he would just. . .

and he says
i shall love you forever. . .