I would better love you
in the morning of the bird,
in the cool cicada evening
of the day of flock and herd.
I could better love you.
Pound slaphammer noon.
Morning comes too soon.

I would better keep you
in the teak and ivory den,
in the gold and silver chambers
of a sanctum in the glen.
I could better keep you.
Ring out anvil streets
triumphs by defeats.

I would better know you
in the rippling of the wheat,
in the steel stalk corn and cotton
of the acres' rain washed peat.
I could better know you.
Squeeze cemented fields.
Urban lover yields.