I was in a hotel when the city first fell

It was gilded and sullen and neoclassical

I took up with an officer and then his general

He bought me almond biscuits and a freshwater pearl

And took me to the opera, and after to Pigalle

A dancer wearing tassels ate the rose off my lapel

These days I'm wearing Shalimar, no never my Chanel

Cos it reminds him of his mother

He wears me like he does his duty shoes

Immaculately polished, and he keeps my soul

In the Paris saloons

And he occupies my moods...

On the Rue des Abesses

We could see violets had

Colonised the boulevards in June

I walk him down to the station

Banners fly from the irons

And vapour trails

Come rising up

Like dove tails...

Bridal veils...

Sundial creeps its hours

Into July

Among the ruins

Lanternas light

I still count his steps

On this esplanade

Like rosaries...

Arms surround me

Arms surround me

I was in the hotel when the first bomb fell

It shook the chandeliers and that old crystal

Came tumbling down on the tiles like the steeples

Of the St Paul bell

I get my pleasures in the dim stairwells

In fairground hands I undo myself -

Rise and fall like the painted poles

Of the carousel

And now autumn unthreads

Her last dress of gold

Upon long lawns

Shadows unfurl

I still count his steps

On this esplanade

Where violets grow...