To Aliena from RURAL by John Ellis

TO ALIENA

Aliena I just saw your picture at my mother’s house
You’d just turned 18 and you’d started to doubt the boy taking your picture
By the piano in a cheap summer dress – your late summer skin –
You’re biting your lip as you fight away tears of confusion and sorrow
Did I make you cry Aliena?

There’s a hand-print on your bedroom ceiling, I know it’s still there
I painted your walls in the winter, you lay on your bed laughing at me
I can see you, that night at your gate, I came to invite you
You asked me inside and a part of me’s still there under your blankets
Won’t you let me go Aliena?

Girl I left you because I was told to by my so-called friends
And what did I know? I believed them – it’s 20 years and they’re still lonely
And your picture, it floats through the ether and knocks at my window
I would just love to say sorry and hear you say that you forgive me
Can you hear me Aliena?

• Alternative
• Barry van Zyl
• John Ellis
• Rural
• johnelliscoza
• singer-songwriter
• Durban