James Schuyler
“A Blue Towel”
Hymn to Life
[…]
I saw
your chest and side be-
side me, pearled with
water drops.
[…]
Note the spilt word and enjambement
I recalled something from my undergraduate days at Queen’s (Kingston). Here then is the text of Leander which I swear was written long before I knew of Schyler’s poem.
Leander
Upon your chest, droplets curl round the hair
As your hands trace ripples by the pool-side:
Were I water, I too would be nestled there.
You plunge and through your strokes the waters tear
Not a well-laughed wake and while on you glide
Upon your chest, droplets curl round the hair.
Still laps the water as you emerge to air,
Content still over your ridges and ribs to slide.
Were I water, I too would be nestled there.
The swells and eddies of your breath with the water share
The strides, the lengths, the bursting joy, that pride
Upon your chest; droplets curl round the hair.
You are no youth but in you I find more rare,
Buried beneath the tawny grilled hair, so fine a guide
Were I water, I too would be nested there.
When the waters love you no longer, I have a prayer
That my tears may find a place to hide
Upon your chest, droplets curl round.
Were I water, I too would be nested there.
First appeared in The Lictor 11/2/82
And so for day 2787
30.07.2014