We lived in Chicago and met a girl,
yes, boy meets girl, the old story, but she
was from the other side of the world,
and liked us both, miracle enough, we
thought at first. Forgive us; we were young
and had no understanding of contractual
needs that might arise. Our bodies sung
of winter nights, two hearts whose actual
beats sped up when she entered the room.
When we realized that love was strained
by barriers, by barricades that nations threw
up to – what? Why? Never mind. For soon
we’d given up. Our love too weak to sustain.
Nations need paper trails, where hearts once flew.
*****
for Karina, with love,
on the overturning of DOMA
June 26, 2013