Azalea

man in Tucson, Arizona
less than 48 years old
clamours down into a graveyard
tries to fight the cold

packed a suitcase for Maryland
then after, all the way to Oregon
then he'll leave for the north
and he won't come back again

came from Omaha, Nebraska
all the way to new Canada
found his heart under tree
named that tree after me

from Tokyo to Venezuela,
big born lover, lesson small
caught a bird on the Dardanelles
bought themselves a ticket home

well she asks "where you from?"
he says "nowhere you'd know."
"sounds a bit dangerous,
following you home."

her eyes were made of tulips
her hair a stunning gold
though her heart was a new one
her spirit was old

and she knew that he would break her
but fight she would not
he wasn't young but he was foolish
and she still had far to walk

So he took her to new Canada
a small seaside port
she kissed him furiously
but their love was short

His eyes grew weary and his
mind drew back
all the lines that called to me
And though I have been dead
for long enough
he can't decide what is worse

loving her and living well
or knowing I'm not

and so he's back in Tucson
less a man than he was then
named his dog "Azalea"
and calls to me again.