Absence ... (Carol Ann Duffy)
Then the birds stitching the dawn with their song
have patterened your name.
Then the green bowl of the garden filling with light
is your gaze.
Then the lawn lengthening and warming itself
is your skin.
Then a cloud disclosing itself overhead
is your opening hand.
Then the first seven bells from the church
pine on the air.
Then the sun's soft bite on my face
is your mouth.
Then a bee in a rose is your fingertip
touching me here.
Then the trees bending and meshing their leaves
are what we would do.
Then my steps to the river are text to a prayer
printing the ground.
Then the river searching its banks for your shape
is desire.
Then a fish nuzzling the water's throat
has a lover's ease.
Then a shawl of sunlight dropped in the garss
is a garment discarded.
Then a sudden satter of summer rain
is your tongue.
Then a butterfly paused on a trembling leaf
is your breath.
Then the gauzy mist relaxed on the ground
is your pose.
Then the fruit from the cherry tree falling on grass
is your kiss, your kiss.
Then the day's hours are theatres of air
where I watch you entranced.
Then the sun's light going down from the sky
is the length of your back.
Then the evening bells over the rooftops
are lover's vows.
Then the river staring up, lovesick for the moon,
is my long night.
Then the stars between us are love
