A brief encounter in St Kilda br With a brash young man br Who smoked cigarettes sexily br br A weekend of physical education br For a young girl with curly hair br That made her toes curl br br A black and white photograph br 'The promise of things to come? Uh? br Signed Fred Hughes,1963' br br A solemn promise made to br An older woman with red hair br In the dressing room of the Union Theatre br br A pile of love letters hidden br In the drawer of the old chest br And read guiltily from time to time br br An unsigned poem dated 1993 br 'It is so still.. so still.. br I'm sure that you must hear me' br br A figure in a red jumper br In Lygon Street, Carlton br Looking younger than his sixty-two years br br A memorable kiss br In the front seat of the old Skyline br That released an avalanche of longing br br A decision three months later br Made unequivocally br And painfully, SO painfully br br A beautiful 49th birthday br With a dozen red roses br And blissful love-making all day br br To be continued....