Exordium

Accosting you out of nowhere must seem creepy; please forgive me

But there is something about your half-gloved solitude that beguiled me

Cold and bitter as so much of life can be, there is warmth and light in you

Do ignore my clumsy overture if you wish; I am not sure what you are drinking

Even if that cup contains cognac or champagne, I would be glad to get you another; though I feel like that column of glowing gallants

Floating bashfully in the night behind you--reluctant to approach

Give me some sign, if you will, that I am audible and comprehensible…

Having sworn never to bother anyone, I was moved to make an exception in your case

I get the feeling that was a mistake, and I apologize

Just consider how beautiful your courage is, before I go

Keep sitting alone in cafes, for so few have the guts intrepidly to be islands

Looks from other humans can be so corrosive, so invasive, so subtle in their shrinking sorcery, can't they?

Mind you, it is clear that you are impervious to their eyes, which stare one moment, swerve the next

Never mind the minds of others and their smirking speculation

Over their heads, you float like a pristine and radiant bubble of thought

Powerful is she who is thought about by others while her own mind remains a still and lambent pool

Questions seem rude and clumsy in my mouth, but permit me to pose just one

Regarding your hat

Stylish and sunny in the stark light of the automat it is

Taunting the drab decorum of dull and dithering dolts

Under the laboratory scrutiny of the fluorescents, it is as smooth and natural as honey

Very few humans could wear it in such a way that every onlooker feels naked without it, as you do

Where did you get it? I would be glad to get you another!

X-ray my intentions if you like; I understand your skepticism, but I mean it!

You must know that this impulse is as ancient and irresistible as the moon

Zones of mint, melancholy meditation ought to be respected, I suppose