he stopped and ran up to her
and embraced her the moment
she entered the room.

but he knew that in the course
of time their visit would end
in a gravely charitable tone.

they went on for half an hour
as they would pretend to be
all of one mind and more.

her cold, over-shoulder glances
spoke volumes in silent audibles
seen by all, heard by none.

at home his fingers flew across
the letter-faced keyboard
as later he wondered.

how many ways to spell love,
with the finger-paints of blood
that has flowed from his eyes.

mayhaps one more keystroke
spelling love, a m o r e, a m o r
and even l u s t.

he had one more dried tear,
sealed by love's trepidation
alas, never to be revived.

11/10/2005