My tears flattered her
for then she knew beyond my laughing my love is still—stillness.
I could have sung that song that she used to ask me to sing
(while she listened,eyes half closedremembering the
future)
she always knew we would part…
But I chose other songs& wished
to take the poison out
from where it made her tired.
She turned, her eyes avertedand for
a moment
as her turning askedI almost
kissed her.
(God how could she)
Then they came. Cleansing the dust of the pastwashing
the eyes beyond my eyes,
bringing delicate memories like the scent
of a fragile rose.