that you were exactly as ardent as I and as novice
that you had to ask only once but did ask
and did not speak of it after to others

that it was an eclogue and an orchard dialogue
with apples and talking and tears
and we did not know but learned to know 

and learned to know without fear     that you 
learned with me     going slow
and took nothing     but only gave 

and received     without shame     in slant light    
in the fall    your hands framing my face
and you kissing me    open-eyed    

you laughing into my mouth     our going together
into the great secret exsultate jubilate  
in actual fact then     and now recalled as