A circle is forever, only slightly
longer than your elastic usefulness.

First and most earnest vows I made
to you: to cherish you and carry you

with me always around one wrist
(preferrably left, but either will do)

and to give as much as I receive,
to share you with anyone in need without

expecting your return. And these vows
I’ve kept, like many faithful women –

so to see you sprawled on a faded, creaky
staircase in the dark corner of a coffee shop

strikes me as wanting betrayal
or regrettable forgetfulness,

and I apologize on behalf of every
summer day ponytail or work stress bun.