/ CHAPTER 19

Austin Clarke Love Poem

Cyril Dabydeen

For J.H.

“Woman,” Harewood, when I tell you woman,

Harewood, um is the first time in my life

I actually fall in love with a woman,

I mean a woman-and-a-half—

I never knew love could be so sweet.

Man, she have me doing things

I never do before in my life,

things that sweet—

things that bring-out the man,

things that bring-out the woman,

things that true love made of,

but more than anything

is the peace that she bring

into my life. Peace and security

and sure-ness. And confidence.