BECKETT, Larry

Song to the Siren

Long afloat on shipless oceans,
I did all my best to smile
till your singing eyes and fingers
drew me loving to your isle,

and you sang, Sail to me, sail to me,
let me enfold you:
here I am, here I am,
waiting to hold you.

Did I dream you dreamt about me?
Were you hare when I was fox?
Now my foolish boat is leaning
broken, lovelorn, on your rocks,

for you sing, Touch me not, touch me not,
come back tomorrow.
Oh my heart, oh my heart,
shies from the sorrow.

I am puzzled as the oyster,
I am troubled as the tide:
should I stand amid the breakers?
Should I lie with death my bride?

Hear me sing, Swim to me, swim to me,
let me enfold you:
here I am, here I am,
waiting to hold you.