Note
as it gets darker
     that little
can be ascertained
of the particulars
     and of their true
magnitudes

     note
the increasing
     unreliability
of vision
though one thing may appear
     more or less
familiar
     than another

     disengaged
from reference
as they are
     in the deepening
gloom

     nothing to do
but sit
     and abide
depending on memory
to provide
     the vague outline
the theory
of where we are
tonight

     and why
we can see
so little
     of each other
and soon
     will be
even less
     able

     in this starless
summer night
     windy and cold

     at the table
brought out
     hours ago
under a huge ash tree
     two chairs
two ambiguous figures
     each one relying
on the other
to remain faithful
     now
that one can leave
     without the other one
     knowing

     this late
in what only recently was 
     a garden
a festive occasion
     elaborately planned
for two lovers
     in the open air
at the end
     of a dead-end
road
     rarely traveled
   
     o love