Carcass of dreams

The old skins I have shed
           are all around me
call it my past
           shreds of my past
gathered in dark corners
           or under bridges
or in wide fields
           that stretch back
into my childhood
           Here where I worked
or here where I played
           where I kissed a girl
where I walked
           head held high
an amateur
           in love

The lips have gone
           the swoon in her eyes
her warm breath no longer
           on my face
The carcass of dreams
           litters the streets
Here I was superman
           I climbed the iron bridge
vaulted over time
           landed at her dancing feet
loved her
           as I have never loved
love her
           as I will never love
(how could I ?)
           again

John Lyons