Modern Love

( by Nick Mancuso )

why do you call me by my name?
she asked

when you do not know my name
and say you love me
when your love
is just complaint

your sorrow shows
sad as an ancient moon
and at night i wipe and wipe
away acres of salty tears

why do you whisper out to me
when your words are shouts?

i hear nothing but stark
need

for you are weak not stout
nor strong

let my tongue be witness
to this truth

there is nothing harder than
this truth

and there is no wisdom
in the man who speaks

my name is mine and only
mine to seek

and you shall never take away
this secret
from my breast

you shall not take away
with lies what others lives have
wrought

for i am his and his alone.