Shell Bay 1967
Your eyes were as wide as overblown flowers,
my little brother, as I jumped from the high path
through sun-billowed, summer-pregnant air,
in a leap that held time in its trance,
into knee-deep kisses of sand.
In your striped shirt and giant spectacles
you watched me take flight for both of us,
you on the beach with bucket and spade,
me on the edge without any wings.
What happened to us, that forty years on,
you no longer sit and marvel at our play,
and I no longer leave my sandals far behind?
Your eyes were as wide as overblown flowers,
my little brother, as I jumped from the high path
through sun-billowed, summer-pregnant air,
in a leap that held time in its trance,
into knee-deep kisses of sand.
In your striped shirt and giant spectacles
you watched me take flight for both of us,
you on the beach with bucket and spade,
me on the edge without any wings.
What happened to us, that forty years on,
you no longer sit and marvel at our play,
and I no longer leave my sandals far behind?
Lizzie Siddal
You sank
so gracefully
into that grave,
a lifetime drowning,
each bank
of river flowers
a winter wreath,
a bitter crowning.
You drew and sang
and danced like swirling leaves,
but all we have
are pouts of sorrow
painted by those men in love with death,
Pre-Raphaelites.
You sank
too easily
into that grave,
a lifetime drowning,
each blank
ecstatic pose
a winter smile,
a summer frowning.
You sank
so gracefully
into that grave,
a lifetime drowning,
each bank
of river flowers
a winter wreath,
a bitter crowning.
You drew and sang
and danced like swirling leaves,
but all we have
are pouts of sorrow
painted by those men in love with death,
Pre-Raphaelites.
You sank
too easily
into that grave,
a lifetime drowning,
each blank
ecstatic pose
a winter smile,
a summer frowning.
frame
frame the sky
and there is always one cloud
that drifts past the edge
one bird that darts beyond corners
one star that glints above trim
frame the sea
and there is always one wave
that rolls over mounts
one fish that skips across borders
one splash that soaks the canvas
frame the self
and there is always one sigh
that moans through backings
one tear that runs down the brickwork
one smile that shatters the glass
frame the sky
and there is always one cloud
that drifts past the edge
one bird that darts beyond corners
one star that glints above trim
frame the sea
and there is always one wave
that rolls over mounts
one fish that skips across borders
one splash that soaks the canvas
frame the self
and there is always one sigh
that moans through backings
one tear that runs down the brickwork
one smile that shatters the glass
