David sailed the Pacific for six months
And the only news he had of home
Were letters from his lover, François
When he docked in Japan
He went to a nearby teahouse
Close to the wharf
There he was reading a letter
Not from François
But from his lover's mother
Who had written David
Explaining the sudden death
Of his beloved
David was distressful
As he ordered another tea
Sat at the table
Immobile
He never took notice of Lady Chance
As she sauntered into the room
She pondered at the thought
Of which table she would dine
When she noticed
The tear-stained David
The trembling hands
Clenching the crumpled letter
Tranquility passed
As Lady Chance slipped
Onto the pillow
Across from David
Her spindly fingers travelled
To take the crumpled message
David lifted his head
His sea-green eyes
Shaded with red road lines from his sorrow:
Before him sat
A statue of beauty, a youth just passing
They shared tea and cookies
Not saying a word
Until the last drop
Had been drunk
Lady Chance arose and gestured
With a motion for David to follow
At Lady Chance's bungalow
They shared a glass
Of sake
Lady Chance listened
As David said: "I don't know how you feel
About a man loving another man."
David eyed the letter
He had previously received
"In America, this is a way
Of life for some men."
Lady Chance's expression
Did not change as she re-read the letter
"I know a lot about men
Loving me," she replied, folding the letter
She arose and walked
Over to her bookshelf
There she took a dusty, feisty
Photograph album and passed it to David
Inside were pictures
Of Lady Chance and another man
Passing through stages
Of life and growth
Of love and
forever happiness
"He died three months ago
A boating accident --
A heavy wind
Overturned his shalop
They never found his body
But there was nothing left of the boat."
"I understand, my darling David,
For you see, I am a man myself."
As the last word left her breath
Her robe fell to the floor
Flashing memories passed through David's mind
As they both joined as one
Their lovemaking that night
Was of mixed emotions
Lost love, forgotten feelings
Touching of two human beings
When they climaxed
Their bodies were wet from their salty tears
David relaxed on the bed
Glancing out onto the harbour
As he listened to the regular breathing
Of Lady Chance
He noticed a snow-white dove
Locked in a cage
Suspended from the roof
In the morning David had to depart
For America
Lady Chance was desolated
Of his parting
But he kept promising to write
And remain friends
Before leaving her bungalow
David asked of Lady Chance
To free the snow white dove
Down by the dock
And if it came back
Then she could keep it
Together they walked
Down to the harbour
Like early morning lovers
David carrying the cage
Of the snow white dove
Hand in hand with Lady Chance
As David finished docking
He glanced back
And noticed Lady Chance
Opening the door
Within the swiftness of the wind
And a screeching cry, the snow white dove flew
Circling around the ship
Singing it's freedom
David waved good-bye
To the beauty of passing youth
Standing on the dock
Lady Chance, a tear rolling from her eye
The snow white dove
Singing as the sunrise started
East meets West
West meets East
East parts West
West parts East.
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