MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

	She stopped giving him intimacy, 
	But only wanted affection--

	Waiting for him to propose,   
	To say, "Marry me"--
		
	Or, "Will you marry me, please?"
	On bended knees with longing 
	
	Since yesterday, if not today,
	Then tomorrow: for him to try 

	To win her over in less familiar ways,
	Being afraid of what else is to come,

	What keeps beating in the rib cage, 
	And occurred from long ago-- 

	Adam and Eve in the Garden,
	I hear you say once more--

	As other lovers come by now
	Bringing bouquets of flowers,  

	Everyone in the asking, or taking,
	Tendrils trailing on the sidewalk,

	Hands clapping; and it's what keeps  
	Hanging from branches of tall trees, 

	Or from a vase in the living room: 
	A Grecian urn borrowed from Keats,

	Or from some other Romantic poet;  
	Everything else being in the offing, 

	Legs splayed out, and arms too-- 
	Declaring to everyone who we're not, 

	What we will come to grips with,
	More ceremony or making vows,

	 Again saying "I do," or "I don't"-- 
	Then, "Until death do us part."

© Cyril Dabydeen