Dashing up the stairs following the signs I don't speak the language you lead but I'm not far behind The car is downstairs on the street in twenty minutes we must meet the driver to take us to the airport fly home But you said "You must see the Mona Lisa before we leave this place" running breathless through the Louvre foolish Americans race Down another hall up more marble steps I say "let's go right" I'm wrong we go left another lengthy corridor another flight of stairs we know she's here we're just not sure where You say "You must see the Mona Lisa you must see her face" running breathless through the Louvre an impossible race We run the length of one more cavernous hall a knot of people has gathered round a certain painting on that wall you push me toward the front of the reverent crowd yes it's her, I know that smile can we leave now? But you whisper "Look the Mona Lisa look at that face" but I'm thinking of the waiting cab and flying back home to the States You hold me by the arm say "count to twenty-five don't miss this opportunity it makes me feel alive" but I'm looking at my watch I'm telling you we must go but you can't release your grip you shake your head "No" "Look at the Mona Lisa stare at that face I will do the counting for you just stand here in place" un deux trois quartre cinq six sept huite neuf dix onze douze treize quartorze quinze seize dixsept dixhuite dixneuf vingt vingt-de-un vingt-deux vingt-trois vingt-quartre vingt-cinq I saw the Mona Lisa gazed upon her face running breathless through the Louvre two Americans race