Oh my goodness, it's my Franny!!!
How have you been? I haven't seen you around in so long and it is always such a blessing to read your poetry. Your poetry along with Mary and some others helped me learn the little I know now, and I am forever grateful.
Anyway ... I hope this finds you doing your best both health, and every other aspect life has to offer... Great title on so many levels. The meat of the poem is forceful and I love the confessional tone, as you so often imploy in your work. I would second the suggestion by Larry for 'labor' over hasten, it gives that 'just right' feel that reflects a struggle to recall the early memories of life, of a relationship ... I especially loved and felt a camaraderie with the meaning of the final 4 lines.
Another swift and skillfully crafted poem that touched me as no other can!
Biggest Hugs, Liz ...
QUOTE
Laugh Lines
If years from now you hasten to recall
my witticisms in another light
inflections, buoyant once, are apt to fall
deflecting into peevishness despite
how we are now. (But I’ve said this before
in other arms, interpretations blurred.)
When you no longer linger I’ll ignore
your leaving; given that, don’t be disturbed.
You’ll always be to me as you are now –
endearingly disarmed, without a name.
Should memories of this conspire somehow
to recollect me harshly, you’re to blame:
the heft and cleave of me without the laughter
was all it meant, and all that you were after.