Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

VII

9 April
            take a word
            a word like Hudson
                         and let the river run
                         through this poem

             its waters throw back light
                          like sky and like metal

there is also a house nearby the railway

            and beneath my hand
            a white paper napkin
                         your initial in gold
                         creased at an angle

let the river run below the railway bridge

           in the compartment windows
           you will see

                      the weathervanes upon the roofs
                                                                        a dolphin
                                                                        a siren
                                                                        a Leviathan
                      the sign of the black serving bowl

           and you will also see
                      the grand porticos
                      the oxidised towers
                      the smoke on smoke the rust
                                                                      the sulphurous dawn
                                                                      of Herculaneum
                                                                      (New Jersey)

           what are these things which should not be said?

the riddle is : without an answer
                       OEDIPUS
without

           despite the moments of clarity
           between the smoke and the ashes
                               and not even ashes
                               and not even smoke

this
           - this is perfectly clear -
was equally bound up
                     with life
                     you
                     & your regard
                     :

                                          beautiful
                                          yes so beautiful
                                          eyes wide

                    OPEN