By Ruthie Voth

you said one time –
as iron sharpens iron,
so you’d like to be with me
well, maybe we’re not
but maybe we are
something similar

maybe…
as water smoothes rocks
I roll over you,
gently but constantly –
changing you slowly
and as rocks
change the course of water
you lead me
steadily
changing my direction
(even my chemical make-up)
as I change you

not harshly like
two iron rods, clanging,
but

comfortably