My clumsiest dear, whose hands shipwreck vases, <br />At whose quick touch all glasses chip and ring, <br />Whose palms are bulls in china, burs in linen, <br />And have no cunning with any soft thing <br /> <br />Except all ill-at-ease fidgeting people: <br />The refugee uncertain at the door <br />You make at home; deftly you steady <br />The drunk clambering on his undulant floor. <br /> <br />Unpredictable dear, the taxi drivers' terror, <br />Shrinking from far headlights pale as a dime <br />Yet leaping before apopleptic streetcars— <br />Misfit in any space. And never on time. <br /> <br />A wrench in clocks and the solar system. Only <br />With words and people and love you move at ease; <br />In traffic of wit expertly maneuver <br />And keep us, all devotion, at your knees. <br /> <br />Forgetting your coffee spreading on our flannel, <br />Your lipstick grinning on our coat, <br />So gaily in love's unbreakable heaven <br />Our souls on glory of spilt bourbon float. <br /> <br />Be with me, darling, early and late. Smash glasses— <br />I will study wry music for your sake. <br />For should your hands drop white and empty <br />All the toys of the world would break. <br /> <br /> <br />Anonymous submission.<br /><br />John Frederick Nims<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/love-poem/
