Where on the spectrum of loyalty and betrayal does song begin? And where does it end? I think each writer has to decide this over and over.
Sharon Olds
When at last I saw him
I could not say
Turn away your gaze.
He watched me
and I could not turn away:
held as if blinded by the sight.
I could not say
Turn away your gaze.
He watched me
as he doffed his clothes
from across a city street away
he watched me
with his eyes ablaze
each garment rapidly disposed
his eyes then sought only me
our rooms so separately far
were suddenly close
Then he had nothing on at all
not one stitch
except his eyes so full of zeal
clothed him you might say
with heavenly light
Naked
as he watched me
he seemed to say
I am prepared for you
but you are far away
He watched me
there is no more to say
Originally published in
Nicolas Echevarria, Pam Yates, art by James Nares and Tom Otterness, writing by Daisy Zamora, Kathy Acker, Glenn O’Brien, and more.
Where on the spectrum of loyalty and betrayal does song begin? And where does it end? I think each writer has to decide this over and over.
Sharon Olds