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Teach Me Other Things Than Love
The stuff relationships are made of
“Marry me so I can teach you to live and teach me to die.”
—Charlie Chaplin to Oona O’Neill.
Relationships aren't all about romance.
The attraction is more practical
than kissing or holding hands —
It's about teaching each other
how to live and how to die,
and feeling more secure in our skins.
Couples have the answers,
if only we asked for what we wanted,
come together in good faith,
share truths about love and death,
support each other's goals,
and accept each other's fates.
Freedom was my gift to give.
I taught my wife how to disengage,
and not be bound and indebted
by the closeness of friends and family.
But to have a strong sense of self,
and stand up independently.
And she taught me
how to live out a dream,
find a space to write poetry
with truth and hope.
To be more in tune with my voice —
the one that's clean and genuine.
