Venerdì, 19 Marzo, 2004 | Posted by Lionel Gerkin at 07:38

Uncle Jozef gave us that big smile of his. "Enjoy", he said with a happiness that sprayed over us. He closed the door and the room shut out the day, the dance factory, the dance, the word. Soft streams of light entered where holes in the old house had long ago not been seen fit to fix.

I sat next to Silvia, just the two of us alone and happy.

"Jozef, what are you doing there?" A voice passing by called out.

"Nothing, you old fool. I'm like you, just wasting my time waiting for someone to come and collect me from this world."

Our hands touched. I felt mine were slightly soiled from the dance factory. I had a toaster's electric circuits explode on me that morning and the signs of it were still there. Silvia placed her lips against the stain and it instantly cleared.

I could have had cancer and it would have been cured.

"Play something with that accordion of yours, Jozef."

"Oh, go away."

"Oh, go on".

As our lips met, the first notes of The Cure's "Pictures of you" sneaked in under the door.

Uncle Jozef sang with his thick accent:

I've been looking so long at these pictures of you
That I almost believe that they're real
I've been living so long with my pictures of you
That I almost believe that the pictures are
All I can feel

Silvia pressed close against me. I could feel her heart beating. I felt the curve of her back, strong.

"There was nothing in the world
That I ever wanted more
Than to feel you deep in my heart"

Her arms reached around my neck and drew me closer. She lifted herself and wrapped her legs around me.

There was nothing in the world
That I ever wanted more
Than to never feel the breaking apart

Our lips crushed together. Our bodies melted like cheap metal. Again the world exploded into a sea of lights. The atmosphere became heavy with a wonder that I cannot explain.

Remembering you, how you used to be
Slow drowned
You were angels
So much more than everything

I felt the warmth of her bare skin against mine. I followed the valley between her breasts as she sighed quietly. I reached out for her hand, to clasp it tightly. To hold it near. Never let it go. I couldn't find it.

Looking so long at these pictures of you
But I never hold on to your heart
Looking so long for the words to be true
But always just breaking apart
My pictures of you

Silence.

Pure silence.

"Thank you, Jozef", shouted a bystander. "That was so wonderful." said a woman. Jozef was quiet. I could feel his lips curl up at the edges in a smile of thanks. A dusky shadow fell over the room as the sun hid behind a cloud for a moment.

If only I'd thought of the right words
I could have held on to your heart
If only I'd thought of the right words
I wouldn't be breaking apart
All my pictures of you