One Word Swallowed Poem by David Lewis Paget

Ah! … Ah! … What is Man?
The sad slick-sliver of the long quicksand,
The flash-burst crackle of the lightning, forking
Or two young daughters of the evening, talking.

Lord! … Lord! … What is pain?
The short sharp splinters of the mad March rain,
The last lost touch of any man’s need, needing
Or one word swallowed as the other word’s leaving.

Girl! … Girl! … What is love?
The daydream dreaming at the first faint flush,
The cool kiss sipping at the breath, fresh-tasting
Or black sheets buried in your bared limbs, waiting?

28 February 1975