Tobacco
  Bad men like their women to be
like cigarettes, just so many all
slim and trim waiting on a row
to be set afire and when the flame
has died, discarded.
  Better men like their women to
be like cigars and these are more
exclusive, look better and last
longer and if the brand is good
they aren't given away.
  Wise men like their women to
be like pipes that are not loaned
and men care for them the older
they grow; and the flame never
dies and when too old they knock
them lovingly and care for them
always.

    Once I knew ---
wonderful nights in the month
                                               of June
a breeze softly blowing a tender
                                                 moon
the perfume of roses sweet in the
                                                     air
the stillness of beauty...so perfect
                                             ...so rare
long drives with you beneath
                                        starlit skies
drinking eagerly...deeply of the
                               love in your eyes
whispering tender words. .vowing
                                   you were mine
   Now I find ---
the loneliness of nights filled with
                                     dreams of you
wondering,  always wondering if
                                 you miss me too
wondering if something about the
                                moon each night
brings memories poignant...a tear
                                          drop bright.


How easily you search my eyes to
see what you can find and I wonder
...would you be so calm if you
could read my mind.


Would we be parted now. . .
had things not been so ?
or did you really love me ?
I'll never know.


There are a dozen ways of making
oneself forget but twelve of them
won't work.
                                                         Jon York   2017