The Possessive Singular

Romances
are entertaining as a tomb.

An abrupt break: a less-formal getting
out of bed, teeth-gritting
reluctance to rise.

The bittersweet flavor is not
soon forgotten.

A singular form is perfect,
fallible,
and objectionable.

In general, “us” has two
forms:
   yours
   mine

Jaime Warburton ’03 is an assistant professor of writing at Ithaca College. She received her M.F.A. from Sarah Lawrence College. This and other poems appear in her chapbook Note That They Cannot Live Happily, available at www.splitoakpress.com/books.