Friday, March 19, 2010

More Lines From Sappho

don't ask me what to wear

when you know
all I want to say
is nothing

**********

I've wished I, O

sun-soaked world,
would have thought of waiting
for your hips, dawn
to drown the dark.
And then, O Heaven,
that stark noon
blazing down on me.

*********

If you are squeamish

just keep your eyes
closed. I will be here
when they open.

**********

Now, today, I shall

ask you the question
I've been meaning
to ask you.
Shall I? Dare me.

*********

Neither worms nor

spiders will keep me
from saving you.
The old fears hold no
sway after I saw
your face.

*********

tortoise shell: become

slight. My living with you
is sweeter the closer
we are, elbows rubbing.
That is how I want
to know you. Up close.

*********

the Forges, by sheer force

turn water to fortress,
liquid to will. Lover,
let us go there and touch
the mouth of it, light
like cardinals on their shore.

*********

only breath, words

without fricative, shallow
shadow of the torn up
I am in your arms.
I hate them for their lack
of being between us.
The tongue in my lungs
and the tongue in yours,
all those alveoli swimming
in a world that's ours.

**********

here a fishbasket and oar

There is someone somewhere
who misses them,
who walks around the house
with the other oar
in his hand, thinking:
why did I leave you?

**********

with your fists, girls

demand she take me back.

**********

you remind me

that I should believe
in a loving God.

**********

It's no use

trying to stay away
from you. I found
my mark solid in the center
of your right hand.
Write all the verbs
you know with it.
Write them on my body.

**********

May you sleep then

after.

**********

thrown in, for her

I want to give you
whatever it is
you thought I couldn't.

**********

Although clumsy

I can find my feet
easily and don't stumble
when you're there,
holding my hand.

**********

dill shoots, to cap

your little bowl of cucumber.
Your delicate hand
reaching across the table
for vinegar. Would that
you would find it in you
to reach for me
with that same ease.
I would be there.

**********

This is the dust of little

millions of times
I looked back at you,
wanting your look back
and sometimes catching it
like that rare fly ball
when it comes right
at you, out of nowhere.

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