I promised myself
said the old woman
that I would always remember
the afternoon I slow-danced naked with him
in his cheesy apartment
on St. Mark’s Place

I promised the sun
said the tulip to her girlfriends
boasting and blushing madly
describing the kiss the lips
I’ll always adore him oh my god I felt
the earth move under my roots

I promised the man
with my eyes and nose said the dog
half asleep on the couch
that I would love, honor and obey
he promised he would always
stroke my brow like that