We Are the Dearly Beloved

—for I.S. and B.C.

All gathered in,
The dots in a Seurat,
The tableau before
Your trousseau.
We are the suited
And red-dressed,
Nearly loving but never
Joined at the lip,
The lonely troupers,
The comfortably happy,
The anxious to couple.
The bass notes
Of the Canon in D.
We are kindling.
We are yours to burn.