Half An Hour

Portrait of Constantine P. Cavafy
Constantine P. Cavafy 1863–1933

I never had you, nor will I ever have you I suppose. A few words, an approach as in the bar yesterday, and nothing more. It is, undeniably, a pity. But we who serve Art sometimes with intensity of mind, and of course only for a short while, we create pleasure which almost seems real. So in the bar the day before yesterday -- the merciful alcohol was also helping much -- I had a perfectly erotic half-hour. And it seems to me that you understood, and stayed somewhat longer on purpose. This was very necessary. Because for all the imagination and the wizard alcohol, I needed to see your lips as well, I needed to have your body close.

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