What I want to say

Finuala Dowling

What I want to say about
the town with its name in white stones
on the dry rocky hill –
What I want to say about
you and about you and me
joined at the hip
two of us fused in
the warm spring water spa
together under the stars
joy enjoined under the night sky naked –
What I want to say
about you and about me
uplifted, joyous joined at the hip
caught in joyous buoyancy
reunited in the starry pool
submerged under the open night sky
together below a dry rocky hill
anywhere in the Karoo –

What I want to say about
the place that said its own name
in white stones – the place
that could have said so much
but only said just:
“this is my name
these are my lovers
those are my stars
this is my dark balmy night
this is my warm water
drawn from deep inside me
don’t arrest them
don’t arrest them” –

What I want to say about
the smell of boerewors
from the distant people
with low even voices of loving evening
who probably knew but didn’t say –

What I want to say about you and me –

this is the country
this is the country
we live here

LitNet: 31 January 2006

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