Hello Friends,
Queer love could be particularly fragile and difficult to hold onto during the lifetime of Tennessee Williams (1911—1983). Although better known as a playwright, he also published many poems. More, like this one, were published after his death: “We Have Not Long to Love” appeared in the February 1991 issue of Poetry Magazine.
Thank you again for celebrating poetry month with me.
— Ællen
Queer love could be particularly fragile and difficult to hold onto during the lifetime of Tennessee Williams (1911—1983). Although better known as a playwright, he also published many poems. More, like this one, were published after his death: “We Have Not Long to Love” appeared in the February 1991 issue of Poetry Magazine.
Thank you again for celebrating poetry month with me.
— Ællen
We Have Not Long to Love
We have not long to love.
Light does not stay.
The tender things are those
we fold away.
Coarse fabrics are the ones
for common wear.
In silence I have watched you
comb your hair.
Intimate the silence,
dim and warm.
I could but did not, reach
to touch your arm.
I could, but do not, break
that which is still.
(Almost the faintest whisper
would be shrill.)
So moments pass as though
they wished to stay.
We have not long to love.
A night. A day….
■
We have not long to love.
Light does not stay.
The tender things are those
we fold away.
Coarse fabrics are the ones
for common wear.
In silence I have watched you
comb your hair.
Intimate the silence,
dim and warm.
I could but did not, reach
to touch your arm.
I could, but do not, break
that which is still.
(Almost the faintest whisper
would be shrill.)
So moments pass as though
they wished to stay.
We have not long to love.
A night. A day….
■