I saw you play in
Slobo's garden-at least
The garden he used to
Look out upon some
Time ago when he
Lived in the presidential
Palace is just across the
Street from the building
I saw you enter when
You had had enough of
The garden ate your ball
You could not find

I wonder if Slobo
Ever saw you playing in
His garden as he gambled
The lives of his people in
Futile wars in distant
Lands your pretty face
Probably never saw his
Impassive stare from
Behind the heavy curtain

I guess he never noticed
How you played in his
Garden or else he would
Certainly have come to
Run his fingers through
Your tawny hair and
Look into your shining
Eyes might have softened
His hardened heart

He would have seen
The plaintive smile I
Saw as I ran my fingers
Through your hair was
Gravid with the fragrance of
Little girls intoxicated me
As you looked with your
Trusting eyes were tinged
With fear-but I withdrew
My hand and you ran home
And looked back and
Waved back to me