Souvenirs du Temps Bien Perdu

Smith, Arthur James Marshall (1902 - 1980)

Original Text

A. J. M. Smith, The Complete Poems, ed. Brian Trehearne (London, Ontario: Canadian Poetry Press, 2007): 84.

1Blouse and bloomers, blouse and bloomers, dewy warm against your skin.

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—

6As your breath comes quicker quicker, mutely signal Molly’s Yes!

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

Rhyme

aaa

Form

Triplets