the heart runs faster
every time
you smile
other writing
begins to fill
hear the call
to prayer
hear footsteps
on an empty street
the air sits still
the cat asleep
night turns slowly
into morning
and my heart
once empty
begins to fill
again
following a line from Su Tung-p’o
oh heart
that holds memory
so dear
release me
torn promises
there
where the torn promises
lie
so is my heart
what almost was
there were those nights
we sat in your alcove
drinking wine drinking tea
eating watermelon apple slices
nibbling on Italian cookies cake
after a late show
at the Lincoln Plaza Cinema
talking of books
we were reading
of the upcoming season
at Carnegie Hall
of an aria
sung by Renée Fleming
there was the food
you packed for me
to take home
and that sadness lingering
as I left
of what almost was
and never would be
again
surroundings
pictures on the walls
a tiny metal dinosaur
a boy scout mug
a dog’s ashes
a cat asleep
a bowl of almonds
a glass of whiskey
a novel in progress
a book of poetry
a lamp burning
that lump in the throat
there were Christmases
birthdays
a gift here
a gift there
words exchanged
and some unspoken
pictures in an album
letters never sent
a shot of whiskey
here here
now
that lump
in the throat
called regret
oh how different
it’s easy to identify
with the longing
of those ancient Chinese friends
of mine
but oh how different
to feel at home
here in self-imposed exile
among people more alike
than different
from those from whom
I came
in the eyes
it’s the same smile
all these years
warm kind
looking out
to the world
yet there now
in the eyes
a touch of sorrow
perhaps
at this lingering awareness
of life
not always living up
to one’s expectation
all those reasons
leaving always hard
those good times
gone forever
but returning
ah, there they are
all those reasons
I left
waiting for me
Leonard Durso 