The Male Gaze

“The Siren” — John William Waterhouse

A Love Song

What have I to say to you

When we shall meet?

Yet —

I lie here thinking of you.

The stain of love

Is upon the world.

Yellow, yellow, yellow,

It eats into the leaves,

Smears with saffron

The horned branches that lean

Heavily

Against a smooth purple sky.

There is no light —

Only a honey-thick stain

That drips from leaf to leaf

And limb to limb

Spoiling the colours

Of the whole world.

I am alone.

The weight of love

Has buoyed me up

Till my head

Knocks against the sky.

See me!

My hair is dripping with nectar —

Starlings carry it

On their black wings.

See, at last

My arms and my hands

Are lying idle.