she is walking away now
has observed him taking his leave
from the restaurant
followed him to his home
studying him
to establish a measure in her mind
of the ways he has changed
since that first encounter
she remembers it well
his face
his voice
the deep consternation
her appearance caused
and the differences visible in him
on the evening he had confronted her
oh yes
she denied it innocently
and he
poor fool
believed her
such a gullible man
but a sweetheart for all that
she has watched him
from concealment
on more than one occasion
since then
this will be the last time
a kind of farewell
in the form of an invisible escort
to his door
but she will not forget
even now
unbidden
an attar of those red blooms
already long pressed into keepsake
plays in the air
about her
a sentient reminder
of the man from emile’s
~