And so love disappears from rented hearts nThus released we walk apart in silence nThe way of memories painful and short nI see the flower-girl nShe does not stop nYes I know that she will not sing for me nBut the tingle of other names remains nI know it does not help to feel this way nSo show me another nPoint me the way nnI've lived too long nI've seen too much nI've learnt that I should never touch nSo much pain for so little gain nDoesn't stop it starting again nnWrithe in your ephemeral bed of fire nThe flames are hot but feel how they die out nMournful flickers of spent heat haunt me still nSo do not lighten my darkness, lady nI can suffer no further degradation nBrought about by my animal passion nDo not arouse me from loveless slumber nI must live as I dream nThat is alone nnI've lived too long nI've seen too much nI've learnt that I should never touch nSo much pain for so little gain nDoesn't stop it starting again nnAs for those voices I won't heed their call nDesires killed by self-denial nThe absence of hope will hurt me less nThan building myself up for another fall nnTherefore I shall block my ears to your call nI prefer to lash myself to the mast nTo the thought of tying myself to you nI shall not believe all that you may sing nAnd thus avoid the wreck that I have become nIt took so very long to reach this end nTo start again requires a leap of faith nA leap that I'm not prepared to make n