V G Lee
The golden river danced
Within a few days and in receipt
of certain information he told the nurse
to keep the curtains drawn.
In a green bakelite mirror he checked
his reflection repeatedly, appearing satisfied,
as if the mirror image confirmed
his own idea of an heroic burnoused figure
wading across a desert with no expectation
of finding water.
On his birthday he talked for an hour;
how he and Charles Dickens never cared much
for their own kids yet could blub copious tears
over ‘little Paul Dombey’s’ death.
And that line that says it all about my sojourn here;
‘How many nights the golden river danced upon the wall.’
Only I’m not acquiescent, no angelic little Paul.
Yes, I see the river but it’s never looked golden to me.
It wasn’t till day five that the mirror lay forgotten;
the curtains were open and sunlight warmed
a yellow blanket. A suit of skin lay stiffening
on the bed, turned to face the window, lower jaw
dropping slightly as if surprised.
Page(s) 66
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