Body of a woman, white hills, white thighs,

you look like a world, lying in surrender.

My rough peasant's body digs in you

and makes the son leap from the depth of the earth.

I was alone like a tunnel. The birds fled from me,

and night swamped me with its crushing invasion.

To survive myself I forged you like a weapon,

like an arrow in my bow, a stone in my sling.

But the hour of vengeance falls, and I love you.

Body of skin, of moss, of eager and firm milk.

Oh the goblets of the breast ! Oh the eyes of absence !

Ohthe roses of the pubis! Oh your voice, slow and sad !

Body of my woman, I will persist in your grace.

My thirst, my boundless desire, my shifting road !

Dark river-beds where the eternal thirst flows

and weariness follows, and the infinite ache.