I regret bitterly
The years of loving you in both
Your presence and absence, regret
The law, the vocation
That forbid me to keep you, the sea
A sheet of glass, the sun-bleached
Beauty of the Greek ships: how
Could I have power if
I had no wish
To transform you: as
You loved my body,
As you found there
Passion we held above
All other gifts, in that single moment
Over honor and hope, over
Loyalty, in the name of that bond
I refuse you
Such feeling for your wife
As will let you
Rest with her, I refuse you
Sleep again
If I cannot have you.
(Louise Gluck)
More Poetry from Louise Gluck:
Louise Gluck Poems based on Topics: Body, Charity, Hope, Work & Career, Loyalty, Name, Law & Regulation- Parousia (Louise Gluck Poem)
- Poem (Louise Gluck Poem)
- Castile (Louise Gluck Poem)
- The Silver Lily (Louise Gluck Poem)
- Cana (Louise Gluck Poem)
- The Pond (Louise Gluck Poem)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Name Poems, Hope Poems, Work & Career Poems, Charity Poems, Law & Regulation Poems, Body Poems, Loyalty PoemsBased on Keywords: forbid, bitterly, transform, sun-bleached