Across the Piano's Smile

It was pouring rain
when you found me there.

While I tried to sway the rats to share
their treasury of crumbs, of water
until they all just scurried off,
and a beautiful shadow
eclipsed me.

Your lips were a brilliant,
bloody red
against the tiles of your teeth,
white as oleander pedals.

I knew that I was in love with you,
from the time your nails
shook the dirt from my hair.
But you always said it was
a young boy's heart, that swings
to and fro from chocolate wings.
Never rising too far from the grass,
where the sun might swallow him.

I'm sorry, but I don't believe it true
when I know I am the one for you.

Oh, you scared me,
when you said to stay.
That your house was
a brighter bulb these days.
Since the ghosts, and all the skeletons
found the decency to wear their skin.

Now she's not so fearful of the dark
when she knows that I am warm
in just the other room.
I am there, I'm dreaming
of your moonlit avenue
and walking by your somber stoop.
Where I can hear those black and white
keys speak for you through the night.

Clair de lune, it sings your sorrow well
and who might know you better than
your fragile fingertips,
following their map across the piano's smile.