Twist 4 Poem by RIC BASTASA

do i have to explain to you that
i do not stay forever young? that i was not
always righteous?
you do not have to promise me that you must
love me forever
i am old and getting older
another day another year another night of my life
another dusk another breaking of my bone
and wrinkle on my skin
you do not have to explain the coldness of your hands
the silence of our presence
we do not owe each one money or feeling
when we first met and when we decide to love each other
we made a pact: we do not look for what is missing
we do not remember what is forever
when we leave we leave nothing