Penelope & Rachel

In all the great stories of love persevering
Over time, there are two varieties,
Male endeavour and female patience,
Penelope aloof among her suitors,
Stringing her tapestry to express her love,
And unstringing her art to protect it.

Who knows, Rachel, what your namesake felt
Those fourteen years of Jacob's work
She had to wait through
To finally feel his by now rough hands
On her waist - she who made him weep!
With desire the moment, the first moment
He first laid eyes on her eyes.

Blinded by tears, her eyes
Swimming out of focus into pure color,
He kissed her once and never kissed her
Again through fourteen years. Oh lucky Jacob,
I've never kissed you once even, and
(This haunts me) I could have hugged you
When my brother died but didn't.

You have not given me permission
To wait patiently for you.
You have not promised, have not said
Anything about coming back,
So alone I must persevere after you.