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One day my telephone will echo
in an empty room...
Do not frown because I'm late
to answer;
I'm on my way to something
that will not be denied.
It will not please me thus
to leave; I fear that where I go
will not comply with any wish
of mine.

But if I have some choice
upon the other side
I'll keep with you
all kinds of rendezvous.

On forest walks, when strands of wind
sigh easy through the fragrant balsam,
and you are left alone in a moment,
a twig may snap, or bird provoke to flurry -
then, know I am by your side.

So, if you still retain in taste
for sunlit jetties
my eyes will be in the shine
of an early morning lake,
as the softly sputtering engine
of your boat
takes you, with rod, across
the placid waters.

Again, in a restaurant that
overlooks a highway
when knife and fork have stopped
their clatter
as there comes a lull
in the table's chatter
there will always be something
familiar in the walk of a stranger
seen from afar...
And you will say, he had such a walk.

Then perhaps some night
when sleep evades your wishes;
and the room is quiet
but for blood-rush in your ears,
I will be caught inside the tumuit
turned, over and over,
like some half submerged thing
in a sea
that rolls on a far-off shore.

Know then that when you lift
the ringing phone
it will not be my voice you hear -
to try you with my anger
bore you with an explanation
or hold you, all impatient, with my love.

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