in clinical settings

there is a correlation
between lost virginity
and found dreams
a fluctuation in heart-rate
measured between
first and fourth base

everyone knows these things
why must we dissect their love?

first, there is the parlance of
longing, next,
a drowning in ketchup
of greasy fries
on fabulous summer nights

they eat too fast,
give in too slowly,
lay on the hood
of her father's Cadillac
arm around shoulder
there is never,
never enough
of this

why must we put
frames on masterpieces,
industries
around music,
curfews
on what our expectations
will process
out of them anyway?