1.
It had been easier, not loving.
I knew I had grown harder than the trees
In which I held you all the afternoon,
The tall blue saplings leaning
Each on each, their strength outgrowing,
And suddenly we two were swaying
Each upon the other leaning.
It had been easier, not loving.
II.
It was much easier, all alone.
The tall slim saplings were exhausted so
With tallness and with slenderness they bowed
At the touch of wind or bird.
In part two the one-line declaration is similar to the opening of Part 1, a hankering after emotional freedom. 

Ways