A Love Poem Project part 17

The first time we had breakfast together in a duvet
with white pillow cases, he leaned forward

and took my two hands in his hands and said,
I'm going to leave soon.  I want you to know that.

And I said, I think I do know.
And he said, What surprises me is that you don't.

And I said, I do.  And he said, What?
And I said, Know that you're going to leave.

And he said, No, I mean know that you are.

The Last Time by Marie Howe from What the Living Do

The last time we had dinner together in a restaurant
with white tablecloths, he leaned forward

and took my two hands in his hands and said,
I'm going to die soon.  I want you to know that.

And I said, I think I do know.
And he said, What surprises me is that you don't.

And I said, I do.  And he said, What?
And I said, Know that you're going to die.

And he said, No, I mean know that you are.