- despair builds
- until late night opens
- onto the sight of two old queens,
- partners, it seems,
- traveling the rapid transit
- between destinies,
- one disheveled, sparse hair tossed,
- ill at ease and cross.
- the other, tenderly, soothingly
- reaches for the strands,
- combs each carefully over
- the balding head of his pale lover.
- glory holes and glory days behind them,
- death in front,
- visage and complexion altered,
- love and vanity have not faltered.