to him

(who now signs at 1571,
wears suits by pierre cardin,
has a private line)

~~~~~

how thriftily the words pass between us now
as if, searching somewhere for meaning
we had lost our claim to life
as if, in depths i dare not fathom
i dare not accept a failing
my pride rejects.

you say you must be fair and just
i insist i must be self-possessed
while between us slowly rises
this chasm i leave unnamed,
while joy and beauty we shared
oh so sweetly before
now pass unmentioned, untold.

if i say it's all my fault
shall things be easier between us
none of the sorrow that was before
none of the pain?
shall the loveliness that used to be
be ours once more
and all the love?

how thriftily the words pass between us now
how prosaic the days have become
how is the office, how are you?
hello, regards, goodbye
is it the end?

__________

18.9.70

8.10 p.m.