Not So Deep As a Well

who else can say he held you
in the cherry of your youth
brought silver from the sea
and tasted of vermouth

who else can say he saw you
both naked wrapped in sable
and working out titrations
on the lab room table

who else can say he lost you
to a summer stained with smoke
the seed of so much sadness
as the acorn to the oak

who else can say he loved you
all the years beyond goodbye
with a love that makes no sense
who else, my dear, but I?