love’s just a thing to negotiate. don’t get there too early or leave too late. would like to think that i had it all down. hate to think what you say when i’m not around. passion’s a thing you don’t do enough. it’s not like love. it likes it rough. i’m not trying to make a speedy exit. but can’t we just settle on sex and breakfast. you don’t want romance. i don’t want ties. neither of us wants long goodbyes. if we can just sort this stuff out and not get stressed. then we can get down to sex and breakfast. isn’t that your ex lover. don’t duck for cover. i’m OK. it’s time he met your other. or is there something you’re not telling me. something you don’t want me to see. that's been left unsaid. between you and him and the double bed. leave your guns. at the reception. it’s casual dress. then a formal deception. one more drink to oblivion. one last look at the place we’ve been living in. then turn and walk away. and the great relief of giving in. what is there left for me to say. may as well join the party and kiss the world away. woke up alone. in someone else’s bed. all kinds of trouble. running through my head. snatches of things that i’d said. in someone else’s bed. looked at the ceiling. in someone else’s room. strange and unknown. all out of tune. unfamiliar sheets and a sense of gloom. searching for clues in someone else’s room. listening to sounds in someone else’s place. scratching for memories. looking for a face. all recollections. sunk without trace. woke up alone. in someone else’s place. i’m not so sure. i’m not so straight. i’m not the kind to believe in fate. i’m not with you. i’m not with them. i’m on my own. it’s what i am. don’t believe. what you’ve heard. you don’t know what i prefer. i share my home. i share my food. but i like to keep my solitude. i open up when i’m relaxed. when i get home. i kick back. it’s my way and i’ll defend. my right to it. it’s what i am.