Seamus Heaney(b. 1939)
A Dream of Jealousy
Walking with you and another lady
In wooded parkland, the whispering grass
Ran its fingers through our guessing silence
And the trees opened into a shady
Unexpected clearing where we sat down.
I think the candour of the light dismayed us.
We talked about desire and being jealous,
O u r conversation a loose single gown
Or a white picnic tablecloth spread out
Like a book of m a n n e r s in the wilderness.
"Show me, I said to our companion, "what
I have m u c h coveted, your breast's mauve star.
And she consented. O neither these verses
Nor my prudence, love, can heal your wounded stare.