A Deeper Connection

For Leslie

Men prefer girls who are twenty
because of their likely fertility,
while girls prefer men forty-three
because of their likely stability.

As for me? — though I’m no whippersnapper,
I look fairly dashing and dapper
in my beard and short haircut, I’d say
(which have suddenly gotten quite gray),
plus I walk seven miles a day.

And you? — though you’re not Keira Knightley
are still pretty zippy and sprightly.
But mostly I’ve fallen for you
thanks to things that have nothing to do
with your style or looks or fine fettle
(though it’s true I like those things, too).

Let’s put some green tea in the kettle
and sip it and talk and hold hands
though none but your cat understands.