I know, I know your knees are bruising as we speak,

But take my hand, take my shoulder, take whatever you need 

To stand. They were loaned to me when I first splayed violently 

Over the rink. We pass them down history, sweat them with history.

Let me show you how to do it better. Fall to one knee like a knight 

Swearing a reflexed allegiance to pain. Watch the disco ball

And note how our revolving kin see only one face, putting it 

In a locked orbit, like the moon’s, while we watch it spin like a Copernican star.

His cheek’s peach fuzz catches the light

In a tightly cropped halo

As he struggles with the knife

& the cutting board

& the pearly bulb he tries to keep between them.

The sink enjoys an empty moment.

The pasta water holds its breath. I squint

At his gentle knuckles clinging to

The half, the half, the stripping half 

           – I loved him so well right here –

My lover finds a new way to cut an onion.