For the Lovers
(love was)
an act of union and completion
forming the complete and eternal one
the consecration and consummation of the word
forever.
now they have torn word and idea
forever
from our language I can't say it anymore.
forever meant tomorrow
and tomorrow is:
a quiet room
a suitcase
an ashtray
old papers
an empty glass
stained hands
traffic noise
tired eyes
bus rides
to distant places we do not understand
with strangers we will never speak to
all riding alone
part II
can you see me now
here amongst the litter of my life
all I have left is:
a quiet room
a suitcase
an ashtray
old papers
an empty glass
stained hands
traffic noise
tired eyes
a photograph
of you and me together when I was
still human enough to dream of a
world that was more than a solitary
bus ride to strange lonely places.
part III
the words have been torn from our language
words that humans spoke for completion and comfort
they are hollow now; empty and mean nothing.
Madson Avenue took those words gave us
lifetime guarantees and the words were lost.
Jimmy Jones took those words peddling a new life
in the jungle and the words were lost.
Idi said president forever.
Vorster says white forever.
Begin/Sadat say peace forever.
Television forever.
Power forever.
Our way forever.
...........
You look at me waiting. The word hangs
poised expectant between us. I open my
mouth but no sound comes. You turn from
me
forever.