For once the sun-limbed child pushed round in joy,
Pushed down the brisk blades with his palms,
Tickled his nose on the weeping frond
As he opened his mouth the better to see
A ladybird clap quick down her armour,
Her copper-shine armour and draw in
Her grey-web tail.
Remember the
loving (such loving, that loving)
Under the willow
tree.
Here now the star-led man lies down in rage,
Locks down his hot fears with his lips,
Tumbles his girl on the weeping grass
As he opens his eyes that he may not see
The ladybird’s slow-corroding fall,
Her copper-shine armour dull over
Her grey-web tail.
Remember the
living (such living, that living)
Under the willow
tree.
Too soon shall moon-seized Man slump down, dead down,
Press down with his face starved earth,
Burnt seed; as he empties his soul,
The Angel, dark darling, weeps slow for a world
And the ladybirds dead, sure dead, their armour,
Their copper-shine armour a-rot with
Each grey-web tail.
Remember such
loving, such living, such dying;
Under the willow
tree.
(September,
1972)
