Who was that woman
made love to me

in the night

in the empty room
in  the house without sound

so much younger than me
who witnessed the scene?

Who, with the face unknown
the name that rose
from the floor of the sea?

She brought me tea
with a smile I’d seen
–her kimono undone,
I could not receive

too much to grieve
at the thought
of her again

serving me
too young to give.

Will Kirkland
August, 2009