Baling Wire by John Tustin

Gather up my love

like errant laundry

in your arms

and use an amalgam

of baling wire, paper clips

and bubble gum

to bind it into a tight ball.

Then toss the ball

into the darkest corner

of your heart

if you are not ready

for it.

I will wait for you.

I need to fight some ten-rounders.

I need to get swept overboard.

I need to get sideswiped in the gutter.

I need to find things

and lose things,

alone.

As the time passes,

my love may grow to hatred

and then back to love.

But I will wait.

Malnourished, malformed,

I will wait.

When you are ready,

retrieve that ball

of love, bubble gum,

paper clips

and baling wire

from its neglected corner

away from the light.

Unwrap it.

A love will be released

that is

dirty, damp, useless,

hazardous,

overwhelming.

For you.