Pledge to Reunite

Among the cast of characters
that constitute the mind,
today I’ll try to find and introduce
that pale ironic lady invalid reclining

on her burgundy brocade divan

to that mercurial tight pink
athletic boy who will not let himself
get one small breath behind
the panoply outside. To make him
share her company beneath

the lady’s canopy, and let her
breathe a whiff of his taut
muscularity – to have her faint
cologne mix with his sweat:
well, that would win my bet

that I can hardily survive this
business of remaining heartfully
alive. Ah, but when they part –
what will they keep? Perhaps
a pledge to reunite when I’m asleep.

.