He brings the carton to his mouth
takes a swig
in a manner that would better suit
a bottle of beer
wipes his mouth with the back of his hand
and I think
he has never looked
more the part of a man
but as with all things
he is careless
quickhanded
leaving a white smudge
above his lip
and I want to reach out
wipe it away
with my hand
my mouth
but I leave it
because it reminds me
of his imperfections
the things
that make me stay with him
because I know
I am anything but perfect
and he has stayed.
