I do not return to perfect trees.
I return to the gnarled oak, rising alone amongst the stones,
To the burned ash, fresh leaves greeting the rising sun,
To the bound bonsai, constrained by ego yet still a tree.

I do not return to perfect trees
Except to note in verdant forests
All look alike
Yet no two rise the same.

I do not return to perfect trees
Nor clear glass windows
Nor professed saints
Yet find God upon each return.

I believe men and women want the same thing: 
To be loved on their terms.

I also believe this is not
The path to a successful relationship.

Successful relationships negotiate terms.

They start with a slow unveil of wants, 
Cemented with a fast & furious exchange of
Gives
And gets
And gives
And gets

That without fanfare morphs into
Offers
And accepts
And offers
And accepts

And finally into
Anticipations
And reciprocations
And anticipations
And reciprocations

Until one day they realize they want the same thing:
To be loved on their terms.

If all goes to plan,
The victim will get
Poisoned, then
Stabbed, then
Shot by a ray-gun. 

Sickness is just a thing
Worry is just a thing
Support is just a thing
Love is just a thing

There will be things
Until there are no things
I take joy
In having things

They were considering
A Mexican vacation
Before her diagnosis.
Now they wonder…

Can her
Cancer
Cancel
Cancun?