It Is Time, Only Time

When you told me

You heard the winds cry

And then you told me

You felt the seas die

And then you showed me

The flight of seagulls

And whispered gently

The party is over

Then

Then I knew it was time

You looked so tired then

Bereft of beauty

I knew that long ago

Your heart had stopped

But all this beauty

But all these shadows

As if to say yes

To life was pointless

And then

Then I knew it was time

In a small park

Just down from Soho

You gestured wildly

But meaning nothing

And all the fountains

Shouted surrender

And all the trees bowed

At my betrayal

And then

Then I knew it was time

No words have substance

No words are better

Than when I held you

Rag doll defeated

So drained of bright light

So full of hatred

With your soul crumbling

Parted for flowers

I should

Have you told

It's just time

And then we looked up

Urbi et orbi

I saw the stars merge

Over St. Patrick's

You said I am finished

I am mist and fog light

And slipped so sweetly

Into your grace

If only

If only it was only time

And now it's eight years

Since I last saw you

And all the starlight

Is now as nothing

The letters all burned

The kisses complete

And all the coupling

Long forgotten

And you long dead

Damned or forgiven

It was no dream