A Face

There’s a face

That I saw a long time ago.

Under the primitive stars

Scattering themselves in the galaxy

I saw that countenance.

With lust brimming then,

Desires reeking out through

My tender eyes,

Shining in the dawn of adolescence

I saw your face once.

And

After that

Years passed, galaxies

Met finally

And that evening sound

Of the preparation of tea

In misty surroundings faded

To a noisy room of doomed promises;

Of words not kept

Of counterfeit smiles

Of a studied silence

A measured taxation.

And when the lights go out

Deep within

Something stirs

Like wounded conscience

Or a dog lying on the highway;

I recall your face then

And that impeccably chiseled chin.