My other half is in two minds,
half a mind to leave,
and half a mind to stay,
which leaves one mind remaining.
Fractions
One mind remaining, and half a mind to stay,
so there’s a quarter of her mind
that I need to change.
A quarter of an other half – an eighth.
she says
An eighth of you I need to convince
that my heart beats not half-heartedly.
I pick you apart - I imagine you in eight.
A grapefruit, pink-fleshed:
Your belly, your head,
two arms, two legs, two breasts.
I kiss them all to make your heart rest.
And yet in your two minds
there will always be protest
howls from the rafters and the wolves won't stop barking
though you're doing your best just to lock them away
but do you throw them a bone or leave them to die?
and yes, I've felt my mind at times too become fractious
though only for fractions of fractions of seconds
because I am a half, and you are the other,
and seven out of eight,
is a pretty good bet.
by Harry Harris