LOUISE CARSON
Long ago and far away
a woman trudged
with head bent into the storm
for of course snow was falling
and a cruel wind pressed it
into her face
long ago and far away
she felt silk slip to the floor
the oriental purple and gold pattern
she would know in her dreams
and there was only surprise
at the identity of the embracer
when she awoke although very little
surprise really only that there should
be more than one
night followed night
and they embraced her one after the other
all the refusals denials
even a few laughing
and she thought there
that’s taken care of that
how easy how pleasant how relieved I am
to have finished acting.