John Yohe

proposal

the young man took his girlfriend to where he worked
a construction site, lots of heavy machinery
he brought her to the wood chipper
had her stand in front of it and told her to wait
he walked around, turned it on, returned
he must have had to yell, will you marry me?
and the poor girl confused and perhaps eager
said yes
he grabbed her as if to hug her, as if in ecstasy
picked her up and jumped into the chipper
she was saved only by him being pulled in first
blocking the teeth for a second so she fell away
will you marry me will you marry me