*   LIKE  A  TIDAL  WAVE,  marilyn  rushes  in.   radiating  a  distinct  warmth  than  from  when  they  argue,  when  he  picks  to  be  difficult,  when  he  isn’t  SOBER.   sharing  a  shell  of  intimacy  which  he  yearns  for  ;  hearts  steadily  lead  him  home.   he  counts  the  rhythm.          ‘ ‘     …     ’ ’          she  continues  when  he  doesn’t  speak,  justifying  for  his  demons.   to  avoid  conflict,  he  stays  hushed.   burnished  hues  watch  the  space  between  them  close,  as  knees  touch,  fingers  interlock.   spiritually  fading  out  with  now  red,  swollen  eyes.   robert  doesn’t  want  to  cry  …  he  ISN’T  crying.   as  his  wife,  she  swears  he’s  a   good   man,  which  he  is,  behind  white  noise.   here,  she  loves  the  man  he  WAS,  wanting  to  love  the  man  he  COULD  be.   yet  change  ;  to  change  for  her,  for  their  daughter,  was  laborious.   veering  his  person,  an  arm  hugs  to  her  frame,  hands  at  her  collar,  anchoring  her  forehead  to  his.   eyelids  are  fixed,  mouth  agape  with  no  words.   she’s  intelligent,  she   knows   .   he  wants  to  APOLOGIZE  but  can’t,  she   knows   .   she  draws  that  smile  he  fell  in  love  with.   they  kiss,  a  sacred  kiss,  forbidden  to  feel  the  rush  of  love  all  at  once.   what  would  he  do  WITHOUT  her  ?   what  would  he  do  if  she  ended  up  *  hating  him  to  his  grave  for  never  changing  ?         

      ‘ ‘     …  i  love  you.     ’ ’           three  forbidden  words  for  a  very  forbidden  moment.