Turquoise sea licked white sand while diamonds were born from the rays of a white sun. Sitting upon the wide alabaster balustrade we gazed into each other's eyes, seeking an answer that would never be found, neither of us daring to voice the words we both feared. Apathetic breezes whispered them for us as we dared not give a final touch of hot flesh to cold. The sound of a child's laughter from the beach far below where rock met sand only served to remind me of the fulfillment you had with another. Gilded mirrors within the silken room reflected darkly and unforgivingly my inadequacy where under silver moonshadow our love had been displayed by a thousand candles. Your eternal heart had chosen to overlook while mine condemned. Mercilessly the sun beat down upon us hotly while we shivered silently under soaring gulls crying over lost dreams. To have come so far never giving thought to past lives shared in repetitious pain. Escaping Death's promise only to repeat new lives echoing old patterns. Wanting freedom to love and become one while Destiny laughed. I had known, as did you, this day would arrive to break the spell binding our souls once more. Waves of Time washed away every one of our sand castle rooms we built so joyfully in our Fool's Paradise. There were no words that could bring them back, no touch that could heal the parting under Cerulean skies. One day, perhaps, we shall pass in the piazza and while her eyes look to the child, our eyes will meet in a tearful promise of another life. --Ramona Nov.21 2001