Sub Rosa

Her given name was Rosalind,

but she preferred Rosa -

and other names

she sometimes asked me to call her.

I was too embarrassed

to mention them out loud,

so I would whisper them,

gently, in her ear.

And then there were

the other things, 

I'd only heard about

but never dreamed of doing.

I'd ask her why she wanted them

and she would push me away 

I had spoiled the moment:

I'd bring her tea, on a tray.

_________________

When I think of Rosa

and the things I didn't do,

i wonder if we'd still be married,

if I had liked them too.