of course I can’t expect you to come with me,
I can’t think of a worse curse to inflict on a person I like.
Because no matter how long it goes well,
A date, a year, a lifetime,
It all ends, my fears come true
And yours, too. Every flaw is revealed
With enough time for inspection,
Every taste grows a bite, every
Sound, sustained, will whine through your skull.
And yet,
Apples sweeten as they rot,
and even long-buried bones
Have names,
And I hope you will come with me,
I really still hope.