Arabian Musk

ARABIAN MUSK

Years past
and today
I smelt your perfume
on another woman
passing me.

Like prayer
on Fridays
I wrote you letters.
This week the same.
Another
Unanswered.

You must have
smelt it
for the scent of longing
before you
read it with
fingers
smooth as paper.

I know you
kept a perfumed box
with my letters
week to week.

You must have kept
my heart within it,
As years past.
with my lips
still thirsty.