Before Leaving
Before I leave you in the morning
Lay the blue dress I once bought you
On the floor and stand before me naked
For the last time without shame or pity in your eyes
Come rest a while beside me there are things I have to say
Thank you for your smiles and tears
They meant a lot to me more even than the white hair
You once offered me and more than all our night times
And the places we have been
Try and understand me
There are things I have to do and places yet to see
But how I envy those remaining left to find you
Now that I set you free
In spite of all those absences
I still loved you from a distance although you came and went
Like some faithful truant lover just like those flowers in the garden
On that crazy afternoon last summer