It says “I love you, and will until I perish.”
It brandished this commitment years ago,
and it insistently renews its fervid pledge
in precious if troubled and enervated keys.
Descending by augmented seconds, ledge
by ledge, amid chords both soothing and nightmarish
in that they seem to have no place, no “where” to go,
the lovers are forced to his and her knees.
Such love is still unseemly within this parish -
a sort with which no statute or bylaw agrees.
Why bother calling them back from the edge?
Soon they’ll reincarnate themselves in some barrow.
Something inside of this song will outlive them both,
provide a soundtrack for the next pair’s oath.
Love’s discords will unresolve to haunt and harrow.