At twenty-four, and living by the beach
Mired in sadness I heard the ocean's roar.
The girl I loved once - now she's out of reach; -
(Restless waves haunt my longing for evermore).
Why this bitterness? And what could it teach?
(And all I feel is hurt at my heart's core).
To take my mind off things I go out drinking -
So I'm sitting in a pub at Dee Why* thinking.

Saturday night and each sip of my drink numbs -
To give me just a few hours to forget.
Like the froth on schooners** sorrow overruns -
The sour cold ale as bitter as my regret.
To alcohol, my pain at last succumbs
(I grow lost in memory and introspect).
Though it seems true - as I grow more forlorn -
That things are always "darkest before the dawn".

And strangely now I see a girl walk in
Into the pub, and looking slightly lost;-
Her clothes expensive, and her body thin; -
(I want to talk to her but not accost).
I see her find a table and settle in -
She seems lonely somehow, and her face downcast.
A few drinks later I conquer my shyness -
I walk up to her and compliment her dress.

After some small talk, we exchanged our names
(It seemed that she was glad of the company).
Here I go again, playing lover's games -
(That's how it was that she now came to join me).
Of such situations, I am not ashamed -
(And looking closer she was quite a beauty).
I told her "your the prettiest girl I've seen"
When I asked her name - she told me - "Caroleen".

That night I held - for our hearts - an inquest -
And all her naked beauty came undone.
She lets me be her white knight in this conquest;-
(The next day we'd watch the newly rising Sun).
Our love was guiltless - this I now attest -
(I guess that night we both needed someone).
Here again - another girl - and circumstance; -
Every situation diff'rent for romance.

I put some music on - It was Chris Isaak -
I touched her hair - the darkest of brunette; -
Then after half an hour in my flat,
We're in bed; - (memories I won't soon forget).
Bright moonlight fell athwart the window slats
(And made her seem more beautiful still yet).
Passions rise and two souls must now mingle -
Better by a thousand times than single.

The next morning we walked along the beach
And sunshine's liquid light played on the waves.
My hand caressed her face - as soft as peach -
(I guess we both got what we truly craved).
If only for one night then - each to each -
(I'm lucky on a list her name I've saved).
Looking seaward she said: "fish are caught in nets"
Like a lover's heart perhaps? - without regrets.




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