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This poem is taken from PN Review 118, Volume 24 Number 2, November - December 1997.

Six Poems Elaine Feinstein

Jeopardy

All year I've watched the velvet glow
of your happiness, seen you flow
towards him, while he bathes in your spirit;
a glittering exchange of tongue and wit.
I've known what you wanted most was
the risk of giving without calculation.

Now he consumes your pleasure along
with grapes, tree fungus, red nectar,
and since he is no ordinary sailor,
takes the island for his own, as he
receives your enchanted songs.
Calypso, Calypso.

What he gives in return is splendour:
partly his own, partly the mirror
in which you perceive your own beauty,
...


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