it was David Gates..

who talked about IF..
a face could launch a thousand ships..
then why can't I paint you..
the world will never know..
the you I used to know..

with due apologies to David..

I'd like to talk about WHAT IF..
I'd taken the decision to say yes..
I wouldn't need to paint you..
you'd be there..
and a huge brood..
running under our feet..
making our lives a misery..
unending demands..

they would have been in college..
we middle aged and stressed..
perhaps fat, with symptoms..
visiting the doc..
every second day..

at least we talk to each other..
never mentioning what could have been..
about the love we shared..
but the life we did not..
but that was only physical proximity..
we did share a lifetime..

perhaps we did well..
leaving it as it is..

with you ensuring me all is well..
and me painting..
my imagination..
of what could have been..

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