Love Enduring

Back then, when you were almost pregnant, sure
Of me, though little else of us was known
To either of us — love had to endure,
But that’s the whole nut — I was almost grown.
Then you might have been just as unprepared
For three lives to emerge from what might be
The future. I had reasons to be scared,
But you were steadfast, level-headedly
Responding to my mix of heady joy
And empty promises — Oh, man! Oh, men! —
With logical assurance. Was I coy?
Only that once, just once and never again.
I’m ready now: let’s plan the future, coming
Too fast, relentless, thrilling, heartless, drumming.