My lover is blind

and

Though I have told him

We live by the sea

He would not believe me.

I took him walking

On the promenade

Where I felt the sea-wind

Strike my face.

He lifted his hand

To his cheek

and said:

“I can feel your breath

Come to me,

Warm and sweet.”

I walked with him

Down to the harbor

Where I heard the gulls

Cry and scream.

He turned his head

To listen

and said:

“The birdsong is beautiful.

Can you hear it?”

I led him

Down the pier

Where the smell of brine

Was thick.

He said nothing.

My lover would never believe

We lived by the sea.

When first he told me so,

I cried.