They slowly unwound, two again,
but for held hands.
He knew to speak first
and make it count.
She smiled and enjoyed
the dance and the band.

He said I never loved
others like you.
She said she agreed and
what should they do?

(pause)

We have to be careful, she whispered at last.
The pill gives me acne, and leaves me reeling.
He played his imperative card as a bluff.
I won’t use a condom. They deaden my feeling.

She sighed as if some decision were hard,
then skillfully played her partnership card.
I’ll make a calender up, she said.
I’ll circle my good days and color them red.
                Subtract 18 from 26.
                Subtract 11 from 32.
                 I’ll take my temperature sometimes to check.
                 It’s really not that hard to do!

(pause)

HE:
Not two days before or till two days after…

SHE:
The caution’s built in, Joe (she said talking faster)
I’m very regular. We’ll do just fine.

HE:
Whatever you say, Helen. You draw the line.

SHE:
I’m like your wife now. She turned then profoundly.

HE:
But he was exhausted and sleeping, quite soundly.