Diamonds And Rust

Well I'll be damned
Here comes your ghost again
But that's not unusual
It's just that the moon is full
And you happened to call.

And here I sit
Hand on the telephone
Hearing a voice I'd known
A couple of light years ago
Heading straight for a fall.

As I remember your eyes
Were bluer than robin's eggs
My poetry was lousy you said
Where are you calling from
A booth in the midwest.

Ten years ago
I bought you some cufflinks
You brought me something
We both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust.

Well you burst on the scene
Already a legend
The unwashed phenomenon
The original vagabond
You strayed into my arms.

And there you stayed
Temporarily lost at sea
The Madonna was yours for free
Yes the girl on the half-shell
Could keep you unharmed.

Now I see you standing
With brown leaves falling around
And snow in your hair
Now you're smiling out the window
Of that crummy hotel.

Over Washington Square
Our breath comes out white clouds
Mingles and hangs in the air
Speaking strictly for me
We both could have died then and there.

Now you're telling me
You're not nostalgic
Then give me another word for it
You who are so good with words
And at keeping things vague.

Because I need some of
That vagueness now
It's all come back too clearly
Yes I loved you dearly
And if you're offering me
diamonds and rust
I've already paid.