I get up in the morning, rolling over, taking care to not wake Joan.

She's always there, when I wake up, dream-gears still turning from the night.

I kiss her on the cheek and tell her I love her, then put my clothes back on.

Pleated pants, one leg at a time, Dockers always knew how to make them right.

I button my shirt, she probably waking up now, opening her hazel eyes.

I find my shoes, hidden under the bed, along with Joan's silk thong.

And she says, "Love, are you leaving?", I reply..."It's no surprise".

She sighs as if admitting she knew it, and was afraid to think it all along.

She walks me to my car, and bends to give me one more kiss

I turn my cheek and tell her, "Not here love, people can see.

I don't them to see me loving you, not with things like this.

No one can know of us, I don't want them thinking bad of me."

Her eyes glance down, and she sighs again, and starts to speak.

And she says, "Do you think bad of yourself? And of last night?

Is all of that bad to you?", and I answer her with a kiss on the cheek.

I wipe away the lipstick left behind, and head off, under the morning light.

And she says..."Eliza..."

11/06/2002

Author's Note: Rough draft...

Posted on 11/06/2002
Copyright © 2025 Melina Raven Maness Diebold