bonus post tribute #1 (double-length) - M tied knot, there but by the grace of god...

head-heels race, with mental brakes on hard
I stripped my transmission, learned proper gear
changes.

because of him I read players guides, laughed
to be textbook. chuffed, sidestepped page(s) __ to
confound.

because of him I read sociopath, could filter
subtext, telltales, body language, be read tenderly, accept, deflect
intent.

fond of him, our chess games, observed mechanisms he tapped,
separated malice from gaming, learned about boundaries; his flattery
deft.

hormones, parallel women, words; manipulatable.
in longitudinal study, irreconcilables jive
dance.