- The Guardian,
- Saturday May 3 2008
I want the words to light on your shoulder
like a hand: touch but not take hold.
You understand they are no more than a gesture
between us and I have tuned my voice so low
no one else shall hear them: they are just for you.
Do not mistake them for intimacy however.
We are a long way off still - we have
a long way to go - the words may contain
an immoderate danger: words are so dangerous.
But if we are careful, if we do not make trouble
between us we shall learn to give them a name.
· From Third Day: New and Selected Poems by Grey Gowrie, (Carcanet, £9.95). To order a copy for £9.95 with free UK p&p call Guardian book service on 0870 836 0875 or go to guardian.co.uk/bookshop
This article appeared in the Guardian
on Saturday May 03 2008 on p22 of the Features & reviews section. It was last updated at 00:19 on May 03 2008.
