A long time ago, I had a girlfriend and I used to sing to her.

In my solitude, you haunt me

In that period of my life, I was entirely entranced by Billie Holiday, and my favourite song was Solitude. My girlfriend always asked me to sing it to her. I sang it over and over.

With reveries of days gone by.

Eventually, we broke up, and she moved out and went her own way, but a few months later, she called me out of the blue and said she was afraid and asked if she could come stay with me for a few days.

In my solitude, you taunt me

She was having headaches and problems with her memory. We took her to the doctor, who sent her to the hospital, where they told us she had a brain tumour. It was inoperable, but they might be able to treat it with radiotherapy.

With memories that never die.

The treatment didn’t work out, and her memory and her headaches got worse, and eventually she slipped into unconsciousness.

I sit in my chair
And, filled with despair,

Her parents flew over from Malta and came to stay with me in my little apartment, and one by one, her friends and relatives from all over the world came to join us sitting by Rita’s bedside.

There’s no one can be so sad.

We sat by her bed for days and weeks and months, and every now and again, she would drift back into our lives and say a few words before drifting back into the twilight. One day, she slept and didn’t wake up again.

With gloom everywhere,
I sit and I stare.

I used to sing to her while she slept her deep sleep – especially when we were alone, just Rita and I. One day, one last time, she spoke to me.

“What’s that song? I know that song.”

“It’s Solitude by Billie Holiday.”

“It’s a beautiful song. My boyfriend used to sing it to me.”

Then she went back to sleep. She didn’t wake up any more.

I know that I’ll soon go mad.
In my Solitude.

I promised that I’d never forget you, Rita. I kept my promise.

I’m praying,
Dear Lord above,
Send back my love.