Such A Lovely Dress Poem by Mark Osaki

Let’s pretend that fulfillment
is just another dress
that I can compliment.
Easy discretion that allows
no shielding of eyes
or the delicate harm
of a lingering afterthought.

We are lucky to have such distractions
to keep us faithful to necessity.
Chances narrow with experience,
and what is hope but proof of pain
after all. Better to be understood
than loved, you said.

Better a dance of manners
that claims nothing
and wastes each momentary promise
with playful approval,
as though you’ve saved your whole life
for some new dress.

And you, likewise
not young or unbroken enough
for innocence,

can smile back in purposeless agreement

that as we understand
we too love.