Amo, what are you saying, the old geezer lifts his head, he is old, it’s tough, the muscles are weak, lying on the pillow, not enough exercise, getting older, still wise though, has his faculties. Te Amo, he says, she listens in close, the nurse, what is it your trying to say, she leans closer, can feel the breath from his mouth, Te Amo, he repeats, she sighs, can’t make it out, getting old, it’s hard to understand what is being said. Amo chases the room with his eyes, Amo he says, Amo, a memory returns to him, how he used to enjoy making people smile, women in particular, and children, being a man, he was not impressed with the male attitude, always in a hurry, did they ever hear of the word, wait.
Valentines day, he had friends, some old as himself, they having gruff attitudes to the love, living in cuckoo land, giving out, complaining, the world is wrong, had a view on all that was wrong, acted like politicians mostly, as if it was approval they sought, maybe covering up their own fears. Cheer those damn souls up, Valentines day, and the feelings in it, he would send them out cards, at least get them wondering, think different awhile, you will be surprised, who sent that?
He left me twenty years ago, Solomon listens, a blob of Guinness on his lips, being polite, he lets her rant on, who else would listen to this, no wonder he left you he thinks, still smiling at her, he must have been real bad to have that impact on you, he says, as he reaches for the new one, new Guinness, and you still haven’t forgiven him then, why should I she says, she goes on and on, meanwhile Solomon listens, how a conversation can ruin a Guinness moment. Did you ever hear of Love he says, she looks at him as if he has sixteen eyes and looks like a sheep, oddly, what’s that she says, Solomon raises his eyes, I will be on the whiskey soon if she keeps this up, did you ever hear of Te Amo, is that a drink she asks, mind if I go to the bathroom he says. So many wars fought over love that goes wrong, history of the human race, amen.