to recall 44 years of writing 
and rewriting our compact–

    this wonder of laughter
    and loud words, 
    sick crying babies,
    travel around the world
    returning to meals
    at home with family. 
    evenings just for two
    on the backporch
    watching fireflies,
    the dying light. 

how do we humans 
manage to mate
in tenderness,  
such fierceness?