She Told

A catharsis of chaos
In a small room full of
Patients waiting to have
Their blood test among whom
I am one sitting next to my dear
Sweet betrothed when the nurse,
A large black woman white smock,
Calls my name to step into the
Cubicle telling me to roll up
My sleeve, I try to explain
I am there only for a
Marriage blood
Test drop of
Blood from
My finger.
The nurse smiles
And says loud enough
That everyone in the waiting
Area turns to look, “Is that what
She told you?” The room erupts in
Laughter and my betrothed looks
At me sweetly smiling as Ahab
Harpoons my arm teaching
Me that love conquers
Both fear and even
Common sense,
Though small
Price paid
For many
Happy
Years
Of
Married bliss.
The vulnerability
Of naiveté brings
Out the cat-like playful
Predator in all of us,
Even my sweet
Betrothed.