Love Like Strangers

For a while we walked
between the pillars of ancient marble,
we walked when the moon was full
and the ruins took the hue of bone.
For a while we talked
of pleasantries: of birds and weather,
of how the city enjoyed its gown of leaves,
we left the somber mood behind
laughing quietly as the final hope of sunset
dropped beneath the trees.
She asked me
where I'd been, what caused my eyes
to linger in the dusk
what things of night had chilled my soul
I turned away
not willing to forgive the secrets
how well you look, I said
She touched my cheek
and you have aged beyond your years
my years are many, but here we are again
to walk beneath the moon.