Classic Poem

You have come between me and the terrifying presence
of the moon, the stars, the sun and the earth
with all its crooked outgrowths. The desolation of life
has been darkened by your shadow, but toward me
your face has been a light, your hands have been
a soft rain, the voice from between your lips
a thing that carries me as the air carries a bird.
I have spread my arms out wide feeling you about me
and looked up and taken a deep breath! Deep,
deep! an April in every finger tip!

She

From your eyes, from among what you say,
tangled like a singing bird in a green tree,
you have entered and spread down through me all
so that I treasure my youth again and wish it
never to go from me — for it is not mine but yours
that I shall hold warmly, safely within me forever.

(after a pause)

She

Your love song halts and repeats.

He

Your song is glib.