watching lovers walking arm in arm
like they were the first to ever love
smiles like children laughing giddy cries
pinch each other’s cheeks and embrace
they could be alone on the earth
and care not a wink for me
nor should they stop, or care, or wink
nor spare a second of time
for the lonely man who watches them
and pines
for the love he never knew –
or knew for a glimpse, then lost
and wondered why
why these happy lovers walk on, carefree
to hope and dream
future days of children with fat, full faces
and leave him behind to want and desire