faces have changed

from grizzled and broken to

soft as silk

and clean as a sheet

but despite the time

it's always been you

 

names have changed

from old and weary-tongued to

delicate as snow

and beautiful as the icy meadow

but despite the weather

it's always been you

 

places have changed

from the rancid hole in the mud

dreary, cold, wet,

to carpet soft as wool

and a roaring fire

a mirror to our souls

but despite the darkness

it's always been you.

 

from a thousand gleaming blades,

stained with the remains of time and destiny,

from a million icy glares,

a world in danger of shattering

at the slightest word

 

of a hundred first kisses

the garden filled with roses

the roof of our apartment covered in stars,

and the countless last goodbyes

from tear-stained deathbeds to

endless train lines

the final stop still ahead

 

no matter how many lives we've lived

as enemies, lovers, friends,

kings and queens, peasants and farmers, heroes and villains,

it's always been you

 

will you join me,

for another life?