i saw you walking across the commons   dear one

   those few years ago  it was that close   

had i been distracted by the merest trifle 

   i want one little nail on the wall   one idea

that doesn't float away with the slightest breeze

   that this was preordained   if not that   then this

that we are the union of two sets   that there is proof   

   that pain isn't punishment   that dante was right   

that there is a reckoning   because   i know   dear one   

   that what brought us together can take us apart   

and   if i can find that one immutable thing that binds us   

   that obviates chance   then i can be vigilant 

that the sterility of these dead of night-colored words

   belie something richer   and softer   and sky bluer

`