I won't love you she said
As they lay sprawled
On her great double bed,
Each one bathed in the others scent
Limpid and languid and totally spent.
But I really need these afternoons
Though they're not often enough
And they're over too soon
So sort out your clothes
From mine on the floor
And I'll kiss you goodbye
This side of the door
So he strode off feeling hurt inside
Full of sadness and damaged pride
He didn't look back so he couldn't know
She stood at her window watching him go
Until he vanished out of sight
In the falling dusk of that Autumn night,
Wiping tears she couldn't conceal
As she prepared her family's meal.
Both of them knew
It would happen again
Though neither knew
The where or the when.
