The Eyes Know Hunger
The eyes know hunger that can reach
Deeper than any thirst for speech,
Sharper than any need to touch;
The hungry eyes can suffer such
Desire, it tortures the unknown
Processes of nerve and bone.
A fated plan of curve and line
Creates the preordained design
Assuaging them. . . . A cheek, somehow,
Subtly combined with nose and brow
Shall be enough . . . on these their need
For beauty may forever feed.
Thenceforth no other shall appease
The hungry sight or bring it ease;
Body and mind alike must serve
This need, with every tingling nerve
Condemned forever to retrace
The simple statement of one face.
THIS FRUIT
I shall return to the magic tree
This apple, never meant for me.
Stem to severed stem shall fit
With fibres firm and exquisite.
The fruit shall ripen to its core
Ungathered, as it was before.
Then for a moment I shall stand
With nothing in my outstretched hand,
My fingers tense with the distress
Of unaccustomed emptiness,
Wondering why I never fed
Structure
30 lines · 3 stanzas