ROMANCE Poem: Need, by Rebekah Thelin

I don’t always see it.

You’re just the guy I live with now.

We’re great at coordinating schedules,

And splitting up the childcare,

And having meals together.

And life with you is normal.

Not boring, but comfortably predictable.

Then sometimes I get glimpses

Into how much I mean to you.

I switch our shoes and I see

The sacrifices you make for me.

How much effort must it take for you

To be so gentle with my fragile self.

The mental acrobatics it takes

To look out for two souls at once,

Both yours and mine.

The longer I consider it,

The surer I become–

I could never be married to myself.

I simply wouldn’t succeed–

It’s delicate work.

In word and deed,

It’s you, I need.