Melancholy

You said

melancholy pieces suit me well.

Well,

today I dressed up in my Sunday best,

sobbed my belly out

until my stomach swelled…

In places of buttons,

tears

shone on my vest.

Careful not to spill a drop,

I rushed after you

with a mouthful of poetry to recite…

You

were walking down a half-lit avenue,

dressed seductively

in

black and white.

I caught up to you on the corner,

caught my breath

and calmly proposed:

“Listen,

honey,

I need a shoulder

for the burden of verses that I’ve composed.

Just ask me,

and I’ll dedicate everything to you,

overflowing with grief,

and with tears

to spare.

Help me!

You don’t want me to drown

-- do you? --

in the bottomless void of gloom

and despair?”

You responded with laughter.

You thought I was kidding, --

just some talented actor

playing a role.

You didn’t see all the misery hidden,

like some wonderful treasure,

at the depths of my soul…