After “The Paradox” by John Donne.
At first sight,
through Invention;
on speaking,
soft Impression;
at a touch,
Anticipation;
only lying,
Consummation.
*
Should you love back months or more,
I may mutter
I Love You,
I Have Never Loved Before,
or
that
This Love Is True.
*
With so many lying stages,
“true love” (it would seem) must be
an oxymoron for the ages,
you,
my love,
and me.
*
Like the parables of Zen,
though,
some truth may lie in it.
Let us lie together, then,
ohh,
at least another minute.