Raymond Clevie Carver (1938 - 1988 / Oregon / United States)
An Afternoon
As he writes, without looking at the sea,
he feels the tip of his pen begin to tremble.
The tide is going out across the shingle.
But it isn't that. No,
it's because at that moment she chooses
to walk into the room without any clothes on.
Drowsy, not even sure where she is
for a moment. She waves the hair from her forehead.
Sits on the toilet with her eyes closed,
head down. Legs sprawled. He sees her
through the doorway. Maybe
she's remembering what happened that morning.
For after a time, she opens one eye and looks at him.
And sweetly smiles.
Anonymous submission.
Read poems about / on: hair, sea, time, remember, smile
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Carver wrote great short stories, but I didn't realise he was also a fine poet.
What I admire about this poem is that it is conversational and unforced with something worthwhile to communicate.
It is also subtle. The sea is not at the full and the woman is not at her best, but her smile triggers a memory of when they both were.
The parallel is stronger for not being spelt out.Wonderful stuff!
Thank you, whoever sent in these poems anonymously.