Long long ago I went through the castle of leaves br Yellowing slowly in the moss br And far away barnacles clung desperately to rocks in the sea br Your memory better still your tender presence was there too br Transparent and mine br Nothing had changed but everything had aged at the same rate as my temples and br my eyes br Don't you just love that platitude? Let me go it's so rare for me this ironic br satisfaction br Everything had aged except your presence br Long long ago I went through the surf on a lonely day br The waves were unreal even then br The hulk of the shipwreck you knew about - remember that night of storms and br kisses? - was it a ship or a delicate woman's hat rolled by the wind in the spring br rain? - was there too br After that its happiness and dancing in the hawthornes! br The aperitifs had changed the names and colors br Of the rainbows framing the mirrors. br br Long long ago you loved me.