How The Magic Fades

Furtive afternoons stolen from life  
squandered in a hotel room 
whose faded yellow curtains
And not quite white sheets    
I never did notice
That funny musty odour 
disinfectant mingling
with a strange scent
didn't bother me

All I could see
was the spotless shirt you shed 
The tan lines on your fair skin 
I inhaled your clean fragrance
dusted with the cologne
you always wore 
The feel of your
fumbling fingers
as you undid the buttons
on my dress
the smile that played
on your face
when you finally succeeded
I couldn't breathe
as you reached for me
we melted like the candles I lit

But now
as I wait for you
I see all that I had missed
the fading paint on the walls
the scuff marks on the carpet
the grime on the windows
the chipped wood of the table
The sun streams
into the room
highlighting every flaw
its rays touch   
They fall on me too
the magic fades

So it has come to this, I think
sordid afternoons forsaken by life


© 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved