Another one
I see him from the corner
Same walk. Same slowing down
The girls know this story… like a sad old book
He’s been circling the block
Third time now
Hands in his pockets like he’s hiding something
But all he’s hiding… is the need
He looks at me — then looks away
Like a man in a church who forgot how to pray
Something simple broke him
And he can’t remember
What it feels like… to be held
Ah, mon Dieu, encore
Where does he come from, this one?
A bed that went cold… years ago?
Just him and the TV
Pretending someone’s home
He almost spoke just now
Almost
Love is illegal
Not hate
Love is illegal
Not hate
And there he goes
Shame won again
Back to wherever the silence lives
I could have helped him
Twenty minutes
His head on my chest
While he remembered what kindness is
But what he needed
What I have
They made it… a crime
I’ve held men who cried
Before they could speak
Gave them back something human
When the world took it away
I held him
I listened
I’m the criminal
They burn cars in the street
And the law looks away
Scream hate at a stranger
That’s a regular day
But a lonely man
And a willing woman
And a door that closes quiet?
Ah, mon Dieu, encore
Send in the police
Tomorrow night
Same corner
Another one
Same walk
Same shame
Same… leaving
Love is illegal
Not hate
Love is illegal
Not hate