If the bones of the house appeal
build from appliance to the bowl your hands
position and empty, never lonely.
Amid snowstorms the day passes from me to you,
its scenes awash with love.
If I dream the tea cup your mother gave to me
tears and I try to mend it with the wrong glue
it turns out the dream is teasing.
Let’s go to Hawaii on our way to the Library of Congress.
How can I thank you for the pleasure of your company.
Kate Lilley (Perth, Australia, 1960-), from the book Versary (ISBN: 1876857153)
Source/To buy this poem: http://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/lilley-kate/souvenir-0607002#
To read more poems about the author: http://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/lilley-kate
To learn about the Sydney University’s project Australian Poets Library: http://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/about-us
Cover image:
Sara Rahbar – Stay (Confessions series, 2014) Bronze with Black wax 33x4x11 inches (detail)
(Iran Pavilion at 2015 Venice Art Biennale, ph. Diana Marrone)