18

Now we might put the flowers way behind us

The scents of freesias and lilies to lie behind us

Check out the flights of those early carnations

Even consider lavender to be more than herb

And in that time, however long

Of putting the flowers way behind us

And on that flight, however far

Of no longer being beside the carnations

Now we might put the flowers long behind us

The illness and confusion of love and recovery

Or we may stand silent, in the open doorway

Even consider stepping slowly down the hallway

And in that place, however untimely

Of being confused by flowers long behind us

And in that mood, however distant

Of no longer being still shadows in the doorway

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17

I am listening to Christmas songs

Sat alone in the empty coffee bar

I sort of wonder

How will cleaning the windows increase trade

I am outnumbered by the staff

To a ratio of at least five to one

And, as they are all wearing headsets

You could say they are well connected

The hotel and airport are across the way

In another week or so

The holiday traffic will reach its peak

And I might write about another vacation

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16

What does it matter what I write

That I write yes I said I love you

That I write yes you said you loved me

That I write, yes once

We loved each other didn't we

I could write of meadow and machair

Of azure blue sea and golden sand

Of drinking cocktails under skies vermillion

I could write also, of that sultry night

When you asked me to shave you Brazilian

Of course in the search for truth and beauty

There is an opportunity to be more expansive

To write of skiing on snow capped mountain

To write of white water rafting, and

Of dancing late, in the Trevi fountain

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15

Tree of daylight moon, with sky of pink stripe blue

The faraway soul sings, yes my friend it's true

Ever so calm now, you know you can't accrue

Ground of effortless frost, with North light new

Your deeper call sways, yes my friend it's true

With this peace now, you know you can't go through

Water of wave lapped shore, with hopeful sunrise hue

The lighter drawl stays, yes my friend it's true

Among this love now, you know you can't undo

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14

There is the ache, I don't need to fake it

Why try to escape, there is no way you'd make it

Remember the darkness, remember the lights in the tree

Remember the wood-burner, remember just what you see

Feel for its silent entrance, is that any more than chance

Through the hearts gape, surges the heartaches lance

Remember the warmth, remember the lasting view

Remember the arms around, remember casting you

How swift it departs, how often it strays

No more need to chart, these are forever days

Remember the solitude, remember the sin of debt

Remember the breakout, remember the winter let

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