True Lover Poem by Ramsey Nasr

the rose the lily the dove the sun
monkey saturn the hydrogen bomb
love's bliss encompasses a lot of things
big and tangible they fit
easy in the mitts
of all-crumbling lovers

for them it's all:
a. cuppa cha cuppa java
b. ootchy-kootchy
c. cuddly-snuggly honeybunny
d. hi sweetie hi sugarplum

lovers trivialise the elements
a tad
stepping like armoured children
into their means of transport

sitting in their topsy-turvy choo-choo train
that's come to a standstill
for the second time this week
because of the silly chappie underneath

full of love he too
wanted to crush language
with his hands like them
but in his own way

he took steps
exploding himself from element
to vast delaying chaos
sudden thaw and frost in one

human bliss clings to stars and pollen
no miracle too big or small

for the determined blind
monkey is rose dove sun

the true lover admits no difference
between lily and hydrogen bomb

Translation: 2004, David Colmer