for Stephen Dunn
I promised myselfsaid the old woman
that I would always remember
the afternoon I danced naked with him
in his cheesy apartment
on St. Mark's Place
I promised the sun
said the dark red tulip
in the bitter night
broken hearted
abandoned
I'll wait
I promised the man
with my eyes and nose said the dog
half asleep on the couch
that I would love, honor and obey
he promised he would always
stroke my brow like that