A Zeugma (gesundheit)

I'm in love with an optional comma,
I discovered while fleeing the nest.
Used, mostly, to separate Mama,
from riff and the raff and the rest.

My zeugma's syleptic and tattered,
three words I just had to look up.
Mom taught me just what she thought mattered
when I was a wordless young pup.

I'll Refrain from explaining the meanings
and use words I don't comprehend
abovers, belowers and tweeners,
it all will make sense in the end.

Of Love

A feeling of euphoria,

a woman and a rose,

a long, committed partnership,

of love the husband knows.

A tenuous and abstract thing

of love he understands--

or thinks he does until they

put a baby in his hands.

A miracle, a wonder who

can bring him to his knees,

who grips his heart with fear at

every cough and baby sneeze,

she calls to him in silent nights,

the deepest sleep defeats.

She holds his breath in hostage till

he knows her heart still beats.

Behold, the hulking man of men

of beastly, manly powers

who’s brought to tears by tiny fists

with gifts of mangled flowers.

A feeling of euphoria,

a little girl, a rose,

a dirty face, a sloppy kiss--

of love the father knows.