Had a mind 

I had a mind to love you
           but you wouldn’t let me
you dyed your honey hair
           to defy your age
and painted your nails
           to add allure to each gesture
I had a mind to love you
           but you wouldn’t let me

How often we huddled close
           as the sharp wind blew 
alongside the river sending shudders
           into the night

How often did I draw you in
           for a kiss and in jest
and when you smiled
           the moon shone
and your dyed hair became
           fibres of light and your nails
glistened and just for a moment
           it seemed that you loved me
but you didn’t
           because you couldn’t

I had a mind to love you
           and a body of blood
in which to wrap your soul
           but you wouldn’t let me

John Lyons

Revised