light a candle

missed connections, misunderstandings

 

pax vobiscum….so long joe….same to you….

tibi toot….he has stood a long time on

the cathedral steps in the rain, waiting

in the rain for a long time; first, impatience,

then concern. finally, anger, crawling

up from his collar like a scarlet sprite.

he smoked his last cigarette with jerky

movements like a wind-up toy running down,

then threw it aside.  angry, hurt -- and then

walking away, he vowed never to see

her again.  he had stood a long time on

the cathedral steps in the rain, waiting

in the rain, a wind-up toy running down,

a wind-up toy soldier rusting -- so he

vowed never to see her again or listen

to her promises again.

pax vobiscum….so long joe….same to you….

tibi toot….her taxi is tied up on

fourth avenue, and she is frantic for

thinking what he will think on

the cathedral steps in the rain.