Can she hear a proposal when it’s whispered
where no one else can hear? In the deep
midnight of blankets and bed.
He hears her answer, but is it said
if no one knows?

If a birch tree falls in the forest
and calls out for its mate and no one
hears it, does it fall at all?
If the fallen tree points to a tiny house
will the couple make a home there? Will they
plant a new tree and nudge it toward
the birch? Love pulls
roots together.

If no one is in the forest to see
the checkered curtains in the kitchen,
does the house exist at all? It’s Sunday
morning, a fresh Colorado breeze enters
their bedroom. He reads a fantasy novel while
she writes poetry. They interlace their fingers,
a habit since the very beginning.

Can she hear a proposal when they tell no one?
Is it spoken in this world?
Two people only need hear it and two words
need only be spoken when asked, “will you?”

Will you, will you, will you, my dear?
I do, I do, I do.

02/05/2008

Posted on 02/05/2008
Copyright © 2026 Lisa Marie Brodsky