We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)
Showing posts with label Don. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Don. Show all posts

26.4.18

Wrong Men


Poetry Month, day 26

For A list with a twist at "imaginary garden with real toads" we are asked to create our own list of five items to write about. What I haven't done is name my – er – items, but I've listed them by other characteristics, and the title tells you the category.


Wrong Men

The ship's deck
cold under stars.
A hidden corner;
your warm hands.

Your father advised,
two years later:
Don't marry. You, 
sadly persuaded, obeyed.

            ***

Dazzling dancing man,
lover of jazz ...
we both were.
I still am.

Oh long ago
so briefly wed,
wild gambling man ...
our parting sobs.

            ***

You bent deliberately 
for that kiss.
I reached up, 
standing on tiptoe.

Lamplight and incense,
our mingled hair.
But the secrets
broke us later. 

            ***

Your face appeared
always sunlit, eyes
blue-green oceans
for my swimming –

yet you lived
in engulfing dark.
Until your escape 
forever into light.

            ***

Our lovely laughter!
How you delighted
my foolish heart,
sweet wicked boy.

Knew you fae – 
forgot those can't
attach humanly; also
I can't fly.