What could be at nineteen the case
is not, because of a haze
in it, qualities
like ghosts, to be born
yet certain outlines
of moving moved, gorgeous figures
nothing mysterious, almost funny
as the floating globe, “My Life in Art”
of the loving charade
and laughing love
who move us
with their familiar
too familiar, gestures
to begin
what could be at nineteen the case
is not
because already a life
has crossed
the immensity of childhood
and includes it still
raging on the headland
in the glow of houses
everywhere around the harbour
and the haze of smoke
it could be evening
what could be at nineteen is
it could be the warm iridescence
in the evening sky
of better times remembered
than to come
but is not
because of all the promises
love letters
in the glow of a climbing sun
plumes of spray
from the crashing waves below
and light and warmth as the houses
open to the morning air
You bring before you
a mantle of bright haze
suffusing all it touches
touching all of us
to see in it vague and glowing figures
even in the day
qualities of movement, of memory
and life to come
What could be at nineteen the case
is this
to bring to life the world
you already carry
in your orbit
what could be
[on the occasion
of her birthday,
23 January 2011]
