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.
