It's too good for them,
they look so unattractive undressed-
let them read paperbacks!
A few things to keep in readiness-
a flensing knife, a ceiling mirror,
a cassette of The Broken Heart.
More luncheons than lust,
more meetings on Northern Line stations,
more discussions of children's careers.
A postcard from years back-
I'm twenty-one, in Italy and in love!
Wagner wrote Tristan at forty-four.
Trying it with noises and in strange positions,
trying it with the young themselves,
trying to keep it up with the Joneses!
All words and no play,
all animals fleeing a forest fire,
all Apollo's grafters running.
Back to the dream in the garden,
back to the pictures in the drawer,
back to back, tonight and every night.
Peter Porter
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