*REGRETS*

         *By GILDA LILY*

	He comes out
	Of the building
	In the pre-dawn light,
	His glow caused
	By the sun's waking rays.

	He looks up at the window
	Where a single candle burns
	And smiles
	A self-satisfied smile,
	Remembering a night of love
	As he moves.

	A sound attracts him
	To the alley.
	A cop's curiosity,
	I suppose,
	Or perhaps a cat's.

	Green eyes search
	As I wait in the shadows.
	Elegant fingers rest
	Against a slender thigh.
	His body's slender, and taut,
	If only...
		
     "Who's there?" he calls,
	And I glide out
	From the shadows,
	A place I call home.
	
     "Hello, Ray."

	Green eyes widen
	Surprise slowing
	Sated reflexes.

	Mine were never slow.

	The shot rings out,
	Echoing
	Against brick and stone,
	A cry rising
	To the sky.

	Another will follow.

	I melt back
	Into the shadows.

	I told you, Ben,
	That you'd regret
	Not coming with me.

(*11/29/96*)