Maybe Just

But if you can’t love all of me, then maybe
just a part?
Could you not harbour tenderness for one limb
in your heart?

Or caress a single earlobe with your thumb,
inside your pocket;
Gaze at a single eyeball, staring from
a single socket?

Take one hand. If you love it
my wrist-stump will punch the air!
Take one finger, and adore it-
I’ll just tie a chopstick there.

Take one lip, and if you kiss it,
watch the other grinning broadly;
take one cheek, and if you stroke it
hear my jealous hands applauding!

For if you can’t love all of me, then maybe
just a part?
Could you not harbour tenderness for one limb
in your heart?

Maybe Just

I’d limp the world on crutches if I knew
that while I did
you had married my patella;
maybe settled down, had kids.

So if you will not choose me, then I choose
my gift to you.
I’ve wrapped it (tight, to stem the flow) and crowned it
with a shoe.

I weep and seep with joy at knowing that
it’s yours today;
It yearns for you to stand by it while it turns
old and grey.

For if you can’t love all of me, then maybe
just a part?
And if your heart’s now stirring- or your stomach-
that’s a start.