Constant

You appear to me

Like rain after a dry spell

Like growth after a hard year

Like life after death

And it had been so long

Yet my eye could discern less beauty

In its object than my memory maintained

So I whispered to myself,

"All is but illusion.

You did well to love him.

It gave you songs to write,

And kept you safe."

And, with a sigh of relief,

I let you go

But you would not go

For you came to me in the air about you

And you walked with me

From the other side of town

And you touched me

With your hands

Behind your back

So I whispered to myself,

"All is but illusion.

You were wise to look closer.

You have lost nothing,

Only exchanged a face for a soul.

Whatever happens now,

You have been constant

And let no one say you never loved."