"I Apologize"
My mind wasn't even there.
Mirage, sir. I didn't see
what I thought I saw.
Que sera, sera. That's that.
I was in my woman's bedroom
removing her red shoes & dress.
I'm just like the rest of the world:
No comment; no way, Jose;
I want spring always
dancing with the pepper trees.
I was miles away, I saw nothing!
Did I say their diamond rings
blinded me & I nearly lost my head?
I think it was how the North
Star fell through plate glass.
I don't remember what they wore.
What if I said they were
only shadows of overcoats
stooped in the doorway
where the light's bad?
No, no one roughed me up last night.
Sir, there's no story to change.
I heard no names. There were no
distinguishing marks or other clues.
No slip of the tongue. This morning
I can't even remember who I am.
--Yusef Komunyakaa
--Yusef Komunyakaa
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