PoemHunter.com

After the Earthquake by Erica Jong

9/6/2008 4:18:56 PM
Home Poets Poems Lyrics Quotations Music Forum Search Member Area Poetry E-Books Sites Mini Quiz
 

POEMS

LYRICS

MUSIC

QUOTATIONS

SEARCH

   
Erica Jong
Free Poetry E-Book:
30 poems of Erica Jong

File Size: 218k  File Format: Acrobat Reader
To download the eBook right-Click on the title and select "Save Target As". more ebooks >>
   Poems  Quotations  Comments  More Info  Stats 

 
 
<< prev. poem Poems by Erica Jong: 1 / 30 next poem >>
  
 
After the Earthquake
 
  After the first astounding rush,
after the weeks at the lake,
the crystal, the clouds, the water lapping the rocks,
the snow breaking under our boots like skin,
& the long mornings in bed. . .

After the tangos in the kitchen,
& our eyes fixed on each other at dinner,
as if we would eat with our lids,
as if we would swallow each other. . .

I find you still
here beside me in bed,
(while my pen scratches the pad
& your skin glows as you read)
& my whole life so mellowed & changed

that at times I cannot remember
the crimp in my heart that brought me to you,
the pain of a marriage like an old ache,
a husband like an arthritic knuckle.

Here, living with you,
love is still the only subject that matters.
I open to you like a flowering wound,
or a trough in the sea filled with dreaming fish,
or a steaming chasm of earth
split by a major quake.

You changed the topography.
Where valleys were,
there are now mountains.
Where deserts were,
there now are seas.

We rub each other,
but we do not wear away.

The sand gets finer
& our skins turn silk.

Erica Jong


Read poems about / on: marriage, husband, fish, snow, remember, water, pain, sea, fishing, change, dream, flower, wind

User Rating:

9.0 /10
(1 votes)



 
Comments about this poem (After the Earthquake by Erica Jong)  more comments >>
Click here to write your comments about this poem (After the Earthquake by Erica Jong)
 
Gil Gregorio Sr. (8/27/2008 3:45:00 AM)
Family poetry is really great. The ups and downs on love and understanding can be greatly depicted from our experiences.

What an earthquake!
People who read Erica Jong also read: More classic poets:

The complete list >>

Lyrics

The complete list >>

QuickPoll
Do you think PoemHunter.com is fast enough?
Yes
No

 Search in the World Poetry Database => 

 Search:   in:      tips
Hide the search box!

E-MAIL THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND - Found this page interesting? Recommend it to your friend! 
 Your E-mail:  
 Friend's Email:  
   
Your
Message:

 

(c) Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge..  About Us | Copyright notice | Privacy statement | Help
9/6/2008 4:18:56 PM. You Are Here: After the Earthquake by Erica Jong

Home | Poets | Poems | Lyrics | Music | Quotations | Forum | Search | Random Poem | Free Poetry eBooks | Contests | Sites |
Submit a Poem | Manage Your Poems | Contact Us

Christmas Poems | Love Poems | Pablo Neruda | Death Poems | Sad Poems | Birthday Poems | Wedding Poems | Annabel Lee | Sorry Poems | Winter Poems