whisper it gently when you
want me to wander away
the kiss off will refuse ad–

the sand is always there again in
the morning sprawling in the
tall dawn light and gulls pull at

If the Emperor smiles
a thread falls that cuts

No one knew her real name, but she appeared to be Greek.
She posed nude for painters, when she could find them.
She could slap hard enough to draw blood.

September’s lovely in New York, the sky 
Returned to baby blue, the breeze now mild 
As breath, and if you’ve anything at all 

It seems someone else was interested in order, too—
The squat trees edging away down the slope
In wavy lines like rivulets—but wasn’t very good at it.

Everybody has a point of view,
         a public expression when
                all is said and done,

I stood by the river where the flesh of our world
Is swept it knows not where (but I knew)
And thought how one day the bottom land

And so we set out calmly into the sky,
Out over sheer space and distant waters

It didn’t want your sympathy and had no need
Of affection, the hot breath of your infatuate regard.