THE DAINTY MONSTERS
Michael
Ondaatje
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Four Eyes
Naked I lie here
attempting to separate toes
with no help from hands.
You with scattered nightgown
listen to music, hug a knee.
I pick this moment up
with our common eyes
only choose what you can see
a photograph of you with posing dog
a picture with Chagall’s red
a sprawling dress.
This moment I broke to record,
walking round the house
to look for paper.
Returning
I saw you, in your gaze,
still netted the picture, the dog.
The music continuing
you were still being unfurled
shaped by the scene.
I would freeze this moment
and in supreme patience
place pianos
and craggy black horses on a beach
and in immobilised time
attempt to reconstruct.
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