The Man With The Sad Eyes
           (for Anne)

“life is a poem”
he said
“create craft rework
sometimes get so entangle
with what's wrong
we forget to reread
the good parts
for what they are”

the band was magic
i wanted to dance
he had kind eyes
in a bar full of predators
he had kind eyes
and a dancing laugh
to his boyish charm
he made me smile
with the moment

we danced we drank
we talked we laughed
he held me close
on the last dance
a kiss and pretend
we'd known each other
forever
with a long long love

but later in whispers
through the dark
when he lay quiet
on my bed i noticed
how sad the eyes

why must they come
with always sad eyes
i can hold their bodies
touch their laugh
caress their attention
but never come near
the silence they encase

he silhouettes
by the window
he'll pause
maybe smoke a cigarette
then dress and leave
this is the rule of the game

“thanks my lady”
he says
“i haven't smiled
for awhile tonight
i smile”

the door shuts softly
i taste his scent on my sheets
poor soul
he doesn't realize
the good person he is

and if he comes back
please let it be a man
and not a broken pilgrim

in need of sanctuary