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Denise Levertov - From The RoofDenise Levertov - From The Roof
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This wild night, gathering the washing as if it were flowers           animal vines twisting over the line and           slapping my face lightly, soundless merriment           in the gesticulations of shirtsleeves, I recall out of my joy a night of misery walking in the dark and the wind over broken earth,           halfmade foundations and unfinished           drainage trenches and the spaced-out                     circles of glaring light           marking streets that were to be walking with you but so far from you, and now alone in October`s first decision towards winter, so close to you—           my arms full of playful rebellious linen, a freighter           going down-river two blocks away, outward bound,           the green wolf-eyes of the Harborside Terminal                     glittering on the Jersey shore, and a train somewhere under ground bringing you towards me to our new living-place from which we can see a river and its traffic (the Hudson and the hidden river, who can say which it is we see, we see something of both.  Or who can say the crippled broom-vendor yesterday, who passed just as we needed a new broom, was not one of the Hidden Ones?)           Crates of fruit are unloading           across the street on the cobbles,           and a brazier flaring           to warm the men and burn trash.  He wished us luck when we bought the broom.  But not luck brought us here.  By design clean air and cold wind polish the river lights, by design we are to live now in a new place.
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