Learning To Swim

Today I sailed a boat that ranged the reaches of the wind,
but the waves were bewildered and the delicate clouds
knew of your absence, the fact that I have tried
to shape a life without you and have failed.
Carolyn, birds still fly, fish swim,
trees move their branches against the wind,
but never again your round eyes
will answer mine, the sun's excitement
engender love when daylight dims.

I have seen how women glide
gently over marble floors,
and bathe from beaches where the tide
heaps sand upon a golden shore ...
Let some latter-day Ulysses
come and teach them how to swim —
their hands and hair were never yours,
I have no loving left to give.
Today I sailed a boat that ranged the reaches of the wind.

Singapore,

18th August, 1968.

A I H Paterson.