Title: Nuptials

Author: Bill Manhire

In: Sport 34: Winter 2006

Publication details: Fergus Barrowman, 2006

Part of: Sport

Keywords: Verse Literature

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Sport 34: Winter 2006

Nuptials

page 53

Nuptials

Take back your heart,
that tattooed star. Take back
take back: your this and that, your pale guitar.

Only my harmonica
knows who you are.

Take back the light on the water;
also the body, scar after scar.

There is a list of things—the words
you might have said, etcetera—

long bridge and sky,
the single car,

each syllable and step, particular,
the near and far—
and oh, take back the traveller.

I have this paper music.
I have what remains.
I have what is muscular.

Light in your eyes, beloved,
like air in a mirror. Take back
take back. The bride is leaving America.

Only my harmonica
knows who you are.