Do you remember? Can you guess coquette
My tall girl, I listen with muffled ears
In secret shall I make you wise, turn this side
After revealing all why close your ears?

My dark eyed lass, who clapped to laugh,
Innocent one who hid behind the door to startle!
It is raining again - do you remember it all?
Not one or two moments - but the pleasure, the pain, the desire and the fear.

You half opened your eyes when I tweaked the navel
Saying, 'You twin-petal bud shall I blossom you?'
My minx, in that moment of want and satiety
So coy you grew, biting your lips and swaying.

While washing away the shame of a loving yet unyielding man,
Half animal-half bird doubling over at the waist
Like a bat beating ineffectual wing,
I had teased, strumming your lap, yet consoled.

It is raining again - do you remember it all?
Not one or two moments - but the pleasure, the pain, the desire and the fear.
The female parrot cajoled the sequestered male
Caught from the woods, 'won't you come in?'
As I turned away loosening the chains of her arms
She had ridiculed, 'enough of your pretence!'
So charming darling, the warmth of your being!

Come, my flower, who blossomed in my summer heat,
For all my ferreting beauty yet undiscovered,
I will preserve you in my navel.

The rains will return.
Memories too will return,
Pleasure and pain 'desire and fear'.
Not one ..nor two

(1956)