Donald Gardner
The Glittering Sea
I dreamed I fell from the highest building,
but that highest building was me.
For my work took me to the ninetieth floor
down by the glittering sea.
My sweetheart said, ‘Don’t go in today,
just snuggle up close to me.’
I said, ‘Sweet, you’re naughty to say such a darling thing,
when I’m saving for you and me.’
She said, ‘Tell your boss you’re sick or so,
we’ll lie in a little bit more.’
But I sighed and slipped into my clothes
and out of our bedroom door.
She turned to the wall and closed her eyes
but didn’t sleep in for long.
She woke to a blaze of TV news
and remembered where I’d gone.
Oh! please, dear God, make me late for work
down by the glittering sea.
Let some minor incident slow my train
to those canyons down by the sea.
I dreamed I fell from the highest building,
but that highest building was me.
For my work took me to the ninetieth floor
by the glittering, glittering sea.
London-born Donald Gardner lived in New York in the 60s sharing poetry stages with Corso and Ginsberg. In 1980 he moved to Holland where he makes a living as a translator. His most recent book of poems, How to get the most out of your Jet Lag, was published by New Haven last year (& can be ordered from: www.donaldgardner.net). More of his poems are due to appear in Ambit 171.
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