he says
it was long ago
and far away
so, i finally
called him to say

i have your jacket
some hats
that book
do you want coffee?

with ice, not shaken
i got my reply
closed off
that sweet dichotomy
captive
in a prison
of his own making,
i suppose,
with chains of smoke
for his own design
afraid to face
his shadows
on the walls of that cave
and so he sent
another
to retrieve
what he feared to face;
addicted to his pain
as much as to
libation.
this checkmate
and we are
too late.
so we will
always be
long ago
and far away
to me,
adieu,
my friend,
adieu.