when you told me
 you heard the winds cry
 and then you told me
 you felt the seas die
 and then you showed me
 the flight of seagulls
 and whispered gently
 the party's over
 then
 then i knew it was time
 
 you looked so tired then
 bereft of beauty
 i knew that long ago
 your heart had stopped
 but all this beauty
 but all these shadows
 as if to say yes
 to life was pointless
 and then
 then i knew it was time
 
 in a small park
 just down from Soho
 you gestured wildly
 but meaning nothing
 and all the fountains
 shouted surrender
 and all the trees bowed
 at my betrayal
 and then
 then i knew it was time
 
 no words have substance
 no words are better
 than when i held you
 ragdoll defeated
 so drained of bright light
 so full of hatred
 with your soul crumbling
 bartered for flowers
 i should
 have told you
 it's just time
 
 and then we looked up
 urbi et orbi
 i saw the stars merge
 over St. Patrick's
 you said i am finished
 i am mist and foglight
 and slipped so sweetly
 into your grace
 if only
 if only it was only time
 
 and now it's eight years
 since i last saw you
 and all the starlight
 is now as nothing
 the letters all burned
 the kisses complete
 and all the coupling
 long forgotten
 and you long dead
 damned or forgiven