We sat in a booth with a jukebox

In the special, midnight diner.

I took the pins out of my hair

And it fell wild, glistening.

His hands fiddled placidly with the creams.

He put sugar in my coffee.

I put my elbows on the table

And sighed - he suggested a song -

Something upbeat, I said.

The two shiny quarters vanished

Into the darkness of the machine

Just as the elegant pair

Had passed from glitz to night.

I finished my coffee.

In the cup lay the remnants of time;

A brown streak at the bottom alone

Was left - and his jacket was no longer there.

My pearls were placed in the purse

And soon the table was cleared

And empty - the shiny illusion was over.

Night won over by sweet morning

Less handsome in its plainer face

Yet, oh so beautiful to me still!