When the city lights have faded, the sounds of life are silenced.

The crispness of the winter air unhindered…

And all around lies darkness, the stars shine down like slivers.

I always fancied they were not diamond, but glass.

---

Ah what compares to Paris air… the squalor of the street…

The silence at my midnight hour, a requiem, complete.

And far of in the distance, so one would scarce believe…

Another world lies waiting… another life to grieve.

---

Forgive me my contemption, my obvious distain,

I try not to go on like this, to rant when there is rain… upon the cobbled streets ands in,

The gutter down bellow.

It's bad manners, I know.

---

But rain calls forth a side of me not even she did see, a pensive, brooding quiet,

A gentle melancholy.

And such it swells within me, I fear my heart may pore,

My lifeblood onto the cobble stones… as the rain which I adore.

Oh have you ever loved, good monsieur?

---

If not I don't suggest it, for as the poets say,

"The flower you pick in spring time shall have rotted by next may." And there is still another, that to me seems quite profound.

"To give ones self so dangerously, invites grief in abound."

---

I speak this from my heart my friend, its true.

I loved with all the passion that a mortal man can do.

And if I do not seem the one to boast,

I will confess,

I must confess,

I loved deeper than most.

---

But my flower was a frail thing, and my bird did fly away,

And no sooner was it spring time than the winters came in may.

And my stone that seemed so perfect, yielded one unbidden flaw,

That pulled the world between us, and all I thought I saw…

---

So now I wander the streets like this, the same way that you do.

But I fear you quite owe me the night, it simply is my due…

For in this city, in this land, nay, in all of mankind's earth!

Never shall you meet my likes again …for whatever that is worth.

---

…And so I leave you now, good sir, the day is dawning new,

And to disappear into the mists, it's what we Phantoms do.

But take in parting here some comfort, some gently placed, "reprive."

I think god walked with you here this night,

It's the reason you're still alive…

---

….Hahahahahaha….