When we passed along the staircase

            During intermission, crowded and 

            Noisy after the sombre act

            I thought perhaps you hadn’t noticed,

            Hemmed in as we were and going 

            Opposite

            Until that slight turn of your cheek,

            So familiar,

            Just as you reached the landing

            And I disappeared above

            Around me in the hall,

            The red plush chairs slowly filled,

            And I watched every entrance below

            The orchestra began to tune 

            Where were you? And with whom?

            And why, since you hated opera?

            All was din and dark and

            Ordinarily I would have been absorbed

            By the pretended fires onstage,

            But I was sure – or was I?

            Past dirty looks and unyielding knees 

            I stumbled, through a door and 

            Down the stairs I ran 

            The soprano was magnificent in death, 

            Even from the empty lobby

            I could hear her, pausing 

            But it was nighttime air I wanted 

            And your lips drawing blood again,

            Fool that I was, so late

            And my god, there you were 

            Right outside on the steps having a smoke:

            I thought you had quit for good