On Marriage

On Marriage

Oh my poor dear
you asked me why women wanted marriage
as you had given the promise once
and could not give it again
as if you could take your body away
but leave the promises
keeping your best friend first wife
as if it could not be remembered otherwise
or perhaps the promises themselves were a sort of measure
that you have always said I keep my word
and keep it absolutely

I will tell you why women want marriage ,beyond the practical
the economics of security ,being able to exhale
it is because you have the the space of a cathedral
for promises
such concerns kneel like supplicant knights
making a vigil for what is right
a woman would want to open all her corners
to loving you fling open all the doors
leave nothing reserved against a sudden seige
and from fear of loss
would like to wear your token in public
at least some visigoths might give up
wishing to stroke that bent head
put down their swords

I'm a little more practical
have a more pagan soul
If I had a Catholic gentleman
I would be glad he had loved before and that he did
I'd take what I could get