Now that I Am Never Alone

[witheredsong.livejournal.com]

Now that I Am Never Alone

In the bath I look up and see the brown moth
pressed like a pair of unpredictable lips
against the white wall. I heat up
the water, running as much hot in as I can stand.
These handfuls over my shoulder--how once
he pulled my head against his thigh and dipped
a rivulet down my neck of coldest water from the spring
we were drinking from. Beautiful mischief
that stills a moment so I can never look
back. Only now, brightest now, and the water
never hot enough to drive that shiver out.

But I remember solitude--no other
presence and each thing what it was. Not this raw
fluttering I make of you as you have made of me
your watch-fire, your killing light.


- Tess Gallagher

(Written after the death of her husband, Raymond Carver)

Comments

[teithiwr.livejournal.com]

Sad but so beautiful!

[coqdorysme.livejournal.com]

my god, how painful.

[onestringed.livejournal.com]

The ending lines are beautiful.

Timing

[watashi.livejournal.com]

Perfect timing that you should post this and that I should actually be online to read it. I've only in the past few months discovered Raymond Carver's poetry and fell in love with his book All of Us. His poems about Tess are my favorites. Tonight I was sad and grieving and came across this. Thanks for sharing.