Different (Without Her)

Ever since I’ve known him I’ve also known her I never saw the two apart Never saw them without a fight Two lovers, homeless and old Begging together From flat to flat Down Alma Road, Rosebank Under the subway, sleeping together But their favorite spot: The pavement’s grey Beside my flat Below my window An Afrikaans woman And an English man He could be 60 She could be younger The way a man Would love his woman He loved her so Any one could tell No other beggar could speak to her Without dust rising high! But these past few days He looks different She’s not around He occupies the spot alone It’s too quiet The days are slow The nights longer He sits on the stairs Staring into thin air Pensive, pensive, pensive… As I pass him by He recalls my face He says, hello Without raising his head...