I suppose I could

Make some remark

About an after-life

Beyond your means,

And so by stealth

I have in any case, but

Just to show I can resist

Everything except temptation.

......................................................

How dare I stand here

Beside your grave

And try to think of witty words

When there, scrawled in marker pen

The smiling face of death de-faced

In gay Italiano?

..........................................................

What metaphors need I contrive

When all around are pressed imprints

Of kissing lips, so soft against

Art Deco stone?

Vandals - for once I love you

But there again

My brand of love could always dare

To speak in many tongues

Its many names.

Written at the grave of Oscar Wilde . Paris April 2006. Forgive me..Love makes fools of mortals too.