I shall leave the bed the way she left it,
with tousled and rumpled sheets and blankets,
So that the shape of her body
remains printed in the mattress.
I shall stay here, quiet and still,
My arms folded, nearly in peace..
I shall leave the room the way she left it,
with the mingled scents of
Pall Mall n' Camel
So that the light may hold and keep
her naked shape in the shutters.
On the wharf, the sun is setting,
I stay here, still smelling love.
In this port of loonies, in the antipodes,
where huge suns reflected my own waves on to me,
where all norms are no use, deep down of deaf craters,
where I rubbed my boots , squandering your love.
Caution Handle with care
Caution Handle with care.
I shall leave my skin the way she left it.
Sweat and cinnamon, peppered orange scent,
So that I may recall again
the figure of this Eurasian,
this rescuing Creole when I
stumble, drunk, in the morning light.
I shall take my life the way she left it.
with a timid smile , a little secret,
So that I accept the tenderness
I had refused in an endless
Game, feeling strong, sure of myself,
Sleep 's the nearest thing to death.
In this port of loonies, in the antipodes,
where huge suns reflected my own waves on to me,
where all norms are no use, deep down of deaf craters,
where I rubbed my boots squandering your love.
Caution Handle with care
Caution Handle with care