The Poem

To the Takshi

To the Takshi


Frozen face, with sandstone breasts

Did the muscles of dock workers

Lifting you to ship

Stir your desire?

Hardboard, straw and centuries

Stand between you and them Inert, you rode

The crest of waves

To the lights of New York

No glitter in your

Dreaming eyes

Or sharp intake of breath

Forever you bewitch

Never yourself fulfilled

Break the menagerie of glass

Yakshi, beloved dancing girl

Sound your ancient anklets

On the asphalt freeways

And in your moulded lap

Gather a harvest of lust.