Mi Tango

I have not loved you without patience.

But perhaps I did not love you

more than I loved my honor, my morals.

I did not love so distractedly

that I forgot myself. I did not let go

and lose myself in passion,

not in yours, nor mine.

Perhaps, though I loved you

through more turning moons,

spinning suns, and revolving earths,

though I loved you through more

fresh snowfalls, windswept leaves, summer storms,

and early crocuses than I care to count,

perhaps I kept my fires banked

for fear that we might burn,

perhaps I never loved you

as much as you deserved.