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Richard Austin

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Near miss

The girl I nearly loved
entered the house I nearly visited
almost at the hour I was passing,
or a moment or two before.
She would probably have smiled, or,
at least, half-smiled, seeing
my greeting that would almost certainly
have been expected, it being nearly
expected which is in a way almost
the same thing, or might have been.

She would for certain, or as certain
as one can be about everything, have taken
my hand, or at least have been about
to take it, if I had come at that moment
or as nearly as possible to that moment,
all things being equal as they almost
certainly are, more or less that is.

But if I had not missed this meeting
I might have kissed or been about
to kiss her lips, or what part of her
was almost certainly waiting to be kissed,
I expect, that is being almost certain
of what I might have done, or have almost
done, which is the same thing nearly.

I think we would have loved nearly for ever,
or at least as long as love lasts
which is nearly always nearly for ever,
that’s if you meet your almost certainly
beloved girl who is waiting somewhere
nearly always.

 

Page(s) 58-59

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