The Gracious Between Poem by Raj Dronamraju

I was Winston Smith and she was Julia
The way she told of the large number of men she'd been with and I didn't mind
The way she laughed as if our time together was rebellion

She was a myth I contributed to
An urban legend and I joined the ranks of those who swear its true
That it exists through self-confidence and by making disagreeable lives agreeable

Between the two greatest loves of my life
Towering over the skyline equal distance from one another
She was gracious enough to host insecurity

I was Winston Smith and she was Julia
And we knew they'd find us out sooner or later
Begrudging us every moment of happiness and intimacy

I loved her only slightly less than her husband who was wilfully unknowing
That her love was taken and passed on
Left for the lost, she becomes a rest station that saves lives

I followed the loss that had yet to occur
For a woman like her should be treasured by a penny pinching society
That gratitude should be repaid to her in love 100 times over