Poetic Interlude LXIV

We finish our spotlight on queer poets during Pride Month -

- with a piece by H. D.*

Lethe
 
NOR skin nor hide nor fleece
Shall cover you,
Nor curtain of crimson nor fine
Shelter of cedar-wood be over you,
Nor the fir-tree
Nor the pine.
             
Nor sight of whin nor gorse
Nor river-yew,
Nor fragrance of flowering bush,
Nor wailing of reed-bird to waken you,
Nor of linnet,
Nor of thrush.
             
Nor word nor touch nor sight
Of lover, you
Shall long through the night but for this:
The roll of the full tide to cover you
Without question,
Without kiss. 
 

*********

*H. D. had been known as Hilda Doolittle in her youth, once nearly married Ezra Pound, and was flagrantly, unapologetically, bisexual in the early twentieth century. Her work was rediscovered in the 1970′s, when she became iconic to both the QUILTBAG and Feminist movements.

Tagged: Bisexual, Bisexual Poet, H. D., Hilda Doolittle, Lethe, LGBT, Queer Poetry, QUILTBAG Poetry