Nocturne — Roches, The

You ask me why We cannot make love I have been ransacking you For the answer

Side by side we lay Not touching Listening to rain falling In the darkness

Where desire writhed there stands a stone The change was sudden and complete

A serious question We have turned out to ask We have sought each other secretly Strong has been the urge To lie naked facing fear

Quietly and quickly Our sentences blaze trails upon the night We are mates on a doubtful voyage

Speaking sanely now Allotting no lovers advantage

My room is anxious to expel him He hurrie~ to be free of my feelings

We wear our words Until he finally dresses Looking for his shoes He is a shadow in my doorway