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intermission.

yellow tulips.

by james fenton, 2006.

looking into the vase, into the calyx, into the water drop,

looking into the throat of the flower, at the pollen stain,

i can see the ambush love sprung once in the summery wood.

i can see the casualties where they lay, till they set forth again.

i can see the lips, parted first in surprise, parted in desire,

smile now as a silence falls on the yellow-dappled ride

for each thinks the other can hear each receding thought

on each receding tide.

these flowers came from a shop. really they looked nothing much

till they opened as if in surprise at the heat of this hotel

then the surprise turned to a shout, and the girl said,

'shall I chuck them now

or give them one more day? they've not lasted so well.'

'oh give them one more day. they've lasted well enough.

they've lasted as love lasts, which is longer than most maintain.

look at the sign it has left here at the throat of the flower

and on your tablecloth – look at the pollen stain.'

'

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