The exile, the uncoupled, can still be a romantic. This does not have to be hypocrisy.

To the Lovers

Not her alone, although she is resistless and enduring,
Not him alone, although he is young and faithful,
Not today only, or the space of yesterday and tomorrow,
But together, her unto him, and him unto her,
And love in love’s time
Which is as long as a promise.

Until you love, and promise love, and receive love’s promise in return
You are mortal and you might laugh but not all your laughter
And you might weep but not all your tears.

Your love is the greatest trust.
It does not bind to itself but one lover to another.
It does not alter but bears it out.
A lover appoints the other
To be the guardian of his solitude.
Man, keep her solitude,
Woman, keep his.
It is the greatest trust.

Bride, take up his hand.
Groom, take up her hand.
Set a seal upon your mouths.
Set a seal upon your hearts.
You are beloved.
And drink from the cup of the divine.

Love one another without knowing how,
Or when, or from where;
Love one another straightforwardly
Without complexities or pride;
Love one another because you know no other way.

Set forth then,
Legs stretching, fingers clutching,
Drinking, dancing, sleeping, loving,
To be lighthearted and also serious.
To be delighted and also sorrowful.
To sing with one voice,
And also to be as silent as a prayer;
To bear your parts
In love’s everlasting procession,
Young groom,
Young bridegroom,
Young lovers.

SS