Between the Two

The smell of incense was heavy And guarded the dingy room well. Time passed slowly like the stifling breath of Yuletide They were hiding from — the two lovers of Venice — A woman with dark, luxuriant hair And a man with a running nose. Scent-leaf from Africa Roasted over the fireplace with a tangible fragrance. A lone candle burned and crackled, Its tallow dripping profusely with crusts of romance — Measuring sounds like the Palpitations of the hearts of the man And woman.