of course I want you in the world whether I’m in it or not

One day
one of us
will be lost
to the other

this has been
talked about but
lightly turning
away shyness this
business of con-
fronting the
preference for
survival

             my mother said the
             children are grown we
             are both so sick let us
             die together my father
             replied no no you
             will be well he lied

of course I
want you in the world
whether I’m in it or
not your spirit
I probably mean

there is always
something to say in
the end speaking
without breath one
of us will be lost
to the other

[Grace Paley {1922-2007} 'One Day', from Fidelity]