how we do

love. slowly
tentatively engaging
in a push and toggle
battle
of creating contingencies
negotiating plans
for every pitfall
in advance
as though love
is a disaster
waiting to happen.

it's sad
how we can never rush
at love headlong.

when all we needed
is a jarring pause
in avid conversation
to set the clock's hands
in perpetual motion.
we sit
amazed
at how we need
torrents of words
before we find the courage
to touch fingertips.

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In theory class, presence is negated by absence. Always remember that everything is accompanied by the implied negation. Thus "how we do" is also "how we don't love." No matter if the ending suggests the touching of fingertips. Negation should not be denied but accepted.