Gerald Stern


Drowning on the Pamet River

Because of the pull I ended up swimming in the grasses
a hundred yards from nowhere my beloveds
ready to jump in after me a black willow
rushing in to save me - my kind of dolphin - you
think I struggled a yard at a time but I was
nudged a little that's why my lips were red
instead of blue that's why I had the words
to 'The Dipsey Doodle' still on my tongue and I was
waltzing under your huge white towel your bathrobe
over my head hot tea already burning
my throat that's why I loved the two Labradors
so much that's why I kissed you so desperately.
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