He intends to help reclaim her
former sonic glories
time stalled on magnetic media,
digitizing tape, makes her smile anew.
He brings a reel-to-reel deck,
demonstrating how to use it.

To make tape catch, a certain expert
snap of wrist, his practiced motion
initiates unreeling.

What to him seems simple like a stopwatch click
she sees abrasive woolen
timing interlaced with dread
frozen fabric of desire catches her unreeling –

                that a clever man could be here for her, always
                doing, helping, making better
                wraps her in forbidden need –

a shroud she wears, commemorates his parting
when left again to work her lone devices
his gear he leaves magnanimous behind.