Whatever Means Goodbye

where did love’s witness go?
did it die?
we need to know
to carry on.

love’s witness,
did it die
before its tale was told
to me
and you?

it seems we missed the last
performance.
did you know that
they were free
before 
the curtain was installed
to block our view,
although
it is a lovely shade
but, what exactly has
it seen?
and would i
want to know
that behind this cloth
and forever out of view
is love’s witness
wondering if we’ve left
for the next door
where sleight of heart
is shown each night:

ladies and gentlemen
tonight,
for your entertainment
only,
someone will say something:

“i accept my fate,
thanks.”

and now,
since you insist,
an encore,
someone will read your mind:

“you, yes you,
and you,
and you,
are all in need,
it’s desperate,
thanks.”

somewhere on the midway
is the tent
beside love’s witness,
not the best location
but it’s quiet and
the neighbour’s curtains
are always drawn.

OCAFIP – Songs I Remember

it’s your life
you understand