do you still long for me?
even in our ancient age of midlife
do you still crave me?
even when we are too exhausted for any kind of intimacy beyond laughter

when you wake-up and my side of the bed is empty
does your body curl toward the space where I should be?
when you have good news or bad news
am I still that person you have to share it with first?

for me, for me it will always be you
in this tiny miserable joyful life
I would choose you amongst the billions
there is no version of my story that does not include you

there may be whole chapters that we did not write together
but it is merely backstory and boring childhood trauma
there are whole universes that we have written together
even a child we made together

love, oh dearest love
through kisses and heartbreak
maelstrom and calm days
we are it

together