Private Interpretation

By Dianne Dibb Forbis

Command: Be one.

My love, it’s clear

we must adhere

to one another’s atmosphere.

I’ve studied out how you don’t fit,

what you can easily omit

to bring alignment of our lives.

To help us really interknit

I have for you a deluxe kit,

swatches of my shining best

which you can stitch to mind and vest.

I scoured my soul and scrapbook, too

for parts of me that would help you.

I don’t presume to flatly state

that you assume my every trait.

But look!

Here is my nobleness

which will smooth your scragginess

and stretch out your short-sightedness,

and maybe spark your sluggishness,

and bring depth to your shallowness

(to shape it to sagaciousness).

What, dear?

A frown?

How can that be?

This matter of a unity

will forge our best identity.

What fun we’ll have if we agree

to change the you in us to me.