madam, might i just say
you remind me
of a beautiful young girl
that i knew once, as a younger man
i found her tucked away
in a woebegotten corner of the world
it was younger then, too.
your eyes are captivating
evergreen
your skin, so fair
and yet i find myself regressing
back
over and over
to the color of your hair
hers was beautiful as well
that's certain
ah, i loved her so
but only time would tell
whether or not she'd choose to come with me
and leave her little corner of the world
and when she did, she wasn't sure
whether the choice she'd made was right
i'd catch her on the balconies
of the musty inns where we'd spend our nights
gazing out at the sky
so black it was almost blue
black like the color of her hair
she'd catch me lost in thought
face towards the bathroom mirror
eyes nowhere
drooling toothpaste into the sink
my, oh my, was I a funny young man
it makes me smile even now
and it made her smile then
we traveled the world together
discovered things no man had known
discovered each other
never had i known beauty
until i looked back on what the passage of time had made us
her brown hair caught more of the sunset with every year
but we feared neither pain nor death, because nothing could separate us
and nothing could ever make me feel so alive, as she did...
am i rambling?
i'm so sorry
i didn't mean to bore you
but yes, you remind me very much of her
would you happen to know where she went, perchance?
i could have sworn she was here just a moment ago
are you allright, madam?
madam?
have i upset you?
madam?
***
oh, i'm so sorry, nurse heath, i've no idea what happened to my manners
i must have forgotten i was brushing my teeth, of all things
to think i was rambling to that young lady the whole time, drooling toothpaste into the sink!
no wonder why she was distressed
oh, don't you worry, it won't happen again.
i'm just starting to feel my age a little, that's all.
yes, just have to buck up and try to concentrate a little better next time.
thank you, mrs. heath, that's very kind, i do appreciate it.
yes, yes, thank you.
good night! sleep well! and thank you again!
hmmph.
that strange young lady
i wonder what she was doing in my home.
