Woke beautifully alert
from midday nap
to Grace Jones’ take
on “La Vie En Rose”

Thought of you at once
and said it out loud
“I’ll bet he’s dead”
Still don’t know for sure

but I’ll bet you still like Grace Jones 
whether you are dead or not
The two of you were as scary
as Paris is beautiful, dear

Your beauty
was long-limbed and capable
of anything short of murder
when it was hungry enough 

capable of chilling the blood
at first touch or sight
I cannot imagine that’s changed
I cannot imagine a different you

Are you in Dublin
are you in Dubai
Are you somewhere in the States
Under or aboveground

I’m so well rested 
This afternoon is perfect
without you being anywhere close by
except in speculation

There are two ways
to chill the blood
a good way and a bad way
I have to say you were good at both

even with my rose-colored glasses on
and I hope you stay lost in time
with Edith Piaf
and Grace Jones