when I tell you I'll marry you
I'd marry you with just
a signature on paper and
a vow in a church
no diamond rings
or showy things
nothing shiny
nothing new

if twenty five dollars is
too large a due
we'll face the preacher man
to say I do
and
I'll do my taxes
you'll do yours
we'll be as married as any
with a paper in their drawers

and if our parents tried to stop us
I'd stay up all night
with a suitcase and a pillow
on the passenger side
Romeo and Juliet but
neither of us die
till we're old and gray
some Tuesday afternoon

we'd take I-74 west until the sunrise
pink and blue and yellow-orange
hits our backs
melts away the stars
makes my home: your arms
I'd marry you in a gas station parking lot
over a Bible and a box of cheerios

I would marry you
any day of the week
any time of year,
                              of day
I know you in my bones
Darling,
              would you marry me?