Souvenirs du Temps Bien Perdu

Souvenirs du Temps Bien Perdu

Original Text
A. J. M. Smith, The Complete Poems, ed. Brian Trehearne (London, Ontario: Canadian Poetry Press, 2007): 84.
2Pretty breasts and little buttocks, oh! the Joycean sweets of sin,
3As I fumble at the button and elastics yours are in!
4Kiss and whisper, kiss and whisper, murmur, tighten, stiffen, press;
5Knickers on the wicker rocker—such a sweet untidy mess—
7Blouse and bloomers, blouse and bloomers, and a garter on the floor;
8Pimply breasts and chilly buttocks, beautiful no more:
9Did we wake the bloody landlord? Will he hammer at the door?

Notes

1] Cf. A la recherche du temps perdu (1913-27) by Marcel Proust (1871-1922).
bloomers: short skirts and long loose trousers gathered closely round the ankles (OED). Back to Line
6] An allusion to Molly Bloom's monologue in James Joyce's Ulysses (1922). Back to Line
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire / Sharine Leung
RPO Edition
2011
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Special Copyright

Copyright © the estate of A.J.M. Smith. Included
with the generous permission of William Toye, his literary executor.