He had recognized in her too wide eyes that he must have made a mistake
But felt self-assured and also secure for he'd meant no offense or ache
If she was aghast, well he'd only asked why she had not RSVP'd
If there was some breach of conduct or speech it was hers (which she'd surely concede)
And how rude to blanche where an olive branch was offered when nothing was due
The unease that came from weeks without blame wrapped 'gainst him and started to stew
"Excuse me," she said when heartbeats had spread between them enough to explode
"Excuse me," she said, "Let's discuss instead the Apology that I'm owed."
Well this unforeseen request was obscene and his sense of propriety
Fell quickly apart; his only retort was of garden variety
"So please sit," she said (he did, seeing red), "And now let us at length detail
The kinds of regrets which writ might express the remorse which yours should entail.
"You should file in threes: a copy for me and for you with one copy sent
To be file'd post haste and lost in the great Apologie Departmént
And you should include - please don't think I'm rude - character references stating
Your words are sincere as they might appear on first glance, with annotating.
"And then above all, let me now install that your regrets should be sincere
Now though I'd accept apologies decked in one of these three, let's be clear:
If you should do two, then I'd forgive you and our friendship would be renew'd
But should you essay all three straightaway I would fall quite in love with you."
