The gentleman was young and shy and sweet.
The lady was his junior by four years.
His attitude was courtly, hers replete
with burning quests for answers. It appears
that theirs were kindred minds, but unmatched themes
in fact. Their correspondence suited each,
but he was husbanding romantic dreams
while she was ranging farther than his reach.

They did it once, from disparate intents –
she curious, he serious, and then
he followed her abroad. She never meant
to keep him and she turned to other men.
His ardor cooled. His disapproval grew.
If she could speak today, she’d say “Me too.”