like a prodigal sun
on a startled winter evening
causing him to squint
blinking away happiness
like sand in the eyes of love
you were there
the dismissive femme fatale
in this final edit
you took his cues
took his keys
took his shoes
took his leave
took his heart…
…took him apart
you took him for a fool
it wasn’t you didn’t want him
you said
you simply saw yourself
in a different movie
with a different ending
one that saw you
leave quietlyy alone
through the garden
alive with the fragrance of roses
and the joys of the lilly
and you said “I’d like, too,
to plant the sweet alyssum
that smells like honey
and peace”
and in this peaceful quiet
there would be
no long farewells
no broken hearts
at least
not yours
and the abandoned man
in the leather chair
had my face
had no expectations
made no demands
held you responsible
for nothing
nothing
and the night lark sang
and a silver tear
fell hard as steel
from his crystal’d cheek
which you collected in a sterling box
to toss into the freezing sea
for you had no need for tears
no need
you’d rolled the dice
but the bones was loaded
and you left the table
cashed in your winnings
climbed the winding stairs
silk purse in hand
his heart in your pocket
to place it at midnight
on your balcony rail
to watch it wither in the moonlight
he had no need for it
now
nor did you
anymore
nor most certainly
did you
no need
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~
old enough to be her dad
but the young men were just mad
they nursed their grievances
and she was flattered by his charm
it wouldn’t do her any harm
they all had their chances
he sent her flowers and limousines
she was treated like a queen
anything she ever wanted
it was no problem for a man like him
and everyone expected soon
that she could ask him for the moon
if she would wear his ring
knowing glances from his friends
in the homes at the weekends of high society
but he didn’t give a damn
he never felt more like a man
and all the time the clock was ticking
and all would envy
the older man and his beautiful young wife
yes all would envy
in a house upon a hill
she was there with time to kill
she lived a life she’d only dreamed
the life was never what it seemed
to all her friends that she’d ignored
she denied that she was bored
she had no time for dancing
– no time for dancing
but the clock upon the wall
that was ticking in the hall always reminded her
that life was going on elsewhere
but she was happy and she whould swear
she wouldn’t change a thing
and all would envy
the older man and his beautiful young wife
yes all would envy
now its five o’clock am
she must have spent the night again
with that old friend of hers
she loves to dance
she’s missing more and more these days
but he’s still stuck in his old ways
perhaps she needs a little more romance
but the clock upon the wall
is still ticking in the hall
she must be home soon – soon
where a younger man would weep
he takes a pill and goes to sleep
now who would envy
the older man and his beautiful young wife?
who would envy? who would envy?
~ ~ ~
gordon sumner © 2001