Sweet sixteen,

Once upon a time, she kissed me,

With lips cherry ripe and ruby red,

Then entwined in tears, good by we said,

Miles across the leagues of waters edge,

Like la Paloma she followed me,

Into the window of my heart she flew,

And there for the longest while she waited,

To invite her in to my golden cage,

Remembering our promised lips,

In dreams I see her golden hair in the shadow,

The old walnut tree, whose trunk, hides our secret kisses,

Stolen, on our walks through the forest,

My little sailing ship battered by the waves,

Lost at sea, no safe harbour did it find,

My little Paloma flew away,

Memories like a pinpricked voodoo doll,

Still hang from the forearm, as lucky charm,

A she pirate snatched it along with my heart,

She knew, she could feel the pinpricks,

The new woman sticking needles,

She knew, a last letter to save this wretch,

Two days late, after the marriage with shotgun,

Too long the wait, the journey, the knowing,

Too late, but not too late for tears, longing,

Treasures deeply buried, heavy is my chest,

Once, just one more time be blessed,

Her luscious lips to me are pressed.

©22/02/2009