The Lady Waits Alone

I left the party for only a moment Meaning to return as quickly as I left From the balcony the night felt ominous Lights twinkled from the ships anchored In the harbor below The hostess Drink in hand Greeted her guests Smiled at everyone who came For her, her actual beauty, Was not in itself so remarkable That none could be compared with her Or that no one could see her without Being struck by it But her presence If you knew her Was irresistible The attraction of her person, Joining with the charm of her conversation, And the character that attended all she said or did Was bewitching. It was a pleasure just to touch her hand Or to watch her walk into a room. The party ended Propping herself on a sofa She watches a glimmer of light Turn from black to misty daybreak Eyes not moving Face up toward the ceiling She sleeps a calm, untroubled sleep Down below a lone car speeds through the heart of the sleeping city Scarcely half-past five in the morning And the sun not yet fully up A city begins to awaken.