so long
so happy sharing laughter and joy
being everything for the other
saying nothing
searching expressions
reading eyes

slightest intimation
means all

as one cheeks brush
thoughts
warmth
exchanged
she turns hand slipping

looking
not taking it in
pausing
sees you are still
then walks on steps faltering

all you lived for
the knot in the throat gets tighter

hope
justice
dissolved
her tears roll
but you will never know
not ever

the breeze murmurs
goodbye
goodbye

*

“Hello Stetson,
those splendours you
told me of?
I lost no shelter only dreams.”
we walk past the doorman seeking solace
“No thanks, no gambling tonight.”
we go left to the drunken revelry
losing ourselves in the atmosphere
speaking loudly without thinking
banging empty glasses
whistling stupidly at waitresses
someone trips
spills his ale
he cannot get up
we laugh
we forget him
and sing
elbows linked at tavern table


in the room
discern a letter
leave it for morning
collapse
eyes wide
can I dare
dare to remember?

*

the rising sun
squints through curtain tears
rays fall on soiled clothing
outlining a mass
an eye blinks open
shutting immediately

moments later a figure sits
removes shoes and lays gently back

eyes flicker
mind is racing
remembering
then they are still
a hand draws yellowed paper from pocket
feverishly reading
until

a forgotten voice
softly caresses a mind

pulling on shoes and jacket
a figure walks out into the bustle
it is a dazzling morning