Love After Love: Reading Derek Walcott Poem by Joan Xie

The time will come.
When with sudden revelation,
You will write an apology letter to each of by-gone lovers
At your great moment of epiphany
But wish to have no reply;

And say, love you so much, but not
Enough to forget who I am.
The passions and compassion gave
But never had all been given;

(all my life, whom I thought I love by heart
is a reflection of me, or isn't?)

So take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
The photographs, the desperate notes,
Peel the portraits from the wall,

Run. Forget who you are.