Волны

           Throwingfaintsmilestomasktheircruelty,theirindifference,theyseizeme.Theswallowdipsherwings;themoonridesthroughtheblueseasalone.Imusttakehishand;Imustanswer.ButwhatanswershallIgive?Iamthrustbacktostandburninginthisclumsy,thisill-fittingbody,toreceivetheshaftsofhisindifferenceandhisscorn,Iwholongformarblecolumnsandpoolsontheothersideoftheworldwheretheswallowdipsherwings.

           ’Nighthaswheeledalittlefurtheroverthechimney-pots.Iseeoutofthewindowoverhisshouldersomeunembarrassedcat,notdrownedinlight,nottrappedinsilk,freetopause,tostretch,andtomoveagain.Ihatealldetailsoftheindividuallife.ButIamfixedheretolisten.Animmensepressureisonme.Icannotmovewithoutdislodgingtheweightofcenturies.Amillionarrowspierceme.Scornandridiculepierceme.I,whocouldbeatmybreastagainstthestormandletthehailchokemejoyfully,ampinneddownhere;amexposed.Thetigerleaps.Tongueswiththeirwhipsareuponme.Mobile,incessant,theyflickeroverme.Imustprevaricateandfencethemoffwithlies.Whatamuletisthereagainstthisdisaster?WhatfacecanIsummontolaycooluponthisheat?Ithinkofnamesonboxes;ofmothersfromwhosewidekneesskirtsdescend;ofgladeswherethemany-backedsteephillscomedown.Hideme,Icry,protectme,forIamtheyoungest,themostnakedofyouall.Jinnyrideslikeagullonthewave,dealingherlooksadroitlyhereandthere,sayingthis,sayingthat,withtruth.ButIlie;Iprevaricate.