What we would do, if we could

Painting by Anders Zorn.

What we would do, if we could

1.
I would heave these shadows overboard,
watch them shred in the spray,
blow away in the mist,
and let the sweet sea-light
flood all the dark places.

2.
The dog with black ears
keeps a wary eye on the drunk,
singing now, but when he remembers
his bitterness with the world,
he will heap it all on that uncomplaining head.

3.
Sun bakes beach sand brittle,
shrivelling the green of spring,
and we are blinded by wave-glitter.
There’s a haven over the water, they say,
but who dares swim in such fire?

4.
A chaffinch sings in the summer tree,
filling the holes in the silence.
Flowers bloom between your words,
and you ask, how I can be sad in such a garden.
You don’t notice the roses falling.

5.
Just spread grass beneath my feet,
forest shade about my shoulders,
let the wind make music in the leaves
and let me sit with you
while the rain drops diamonds.