She wants me like the moon, br reliably present but distanced, br like something sacred br or beating nearby - an animal’s heart, br wild and unknowable br in its underground womb. br It would be a tall tale to assure her br I can ride everywhere in tandem, br because I’m a character in one of those hokey br movie capers where they synchronize watches, br only to careen into mayhem anyway. br As if I could ever be a metronome – let alone br an expensive ebony one, br sitting aloof and neglected on a parlor grand br like a legend, br always at hair trigger readiness br to echo through the empty house. br br This is what I have learned: br The worst drummers are those br with abundant razzle dazzle br but who cannot keep the beat, br star struck by the romance of propulsion, br forgetting that rhythm wears a badge. br I have learned I am no machine, br though that is something measured in degrees. br I have learned that my steady beat br is out in the hot sun br sleeping in the road with my dog. br br She will have to have me as waves, br sometimes gently pulling, br sometimes crashing.