Privacy

By C. D. Wright b. 1949

The animals are leaving

the safety of the trees

Light sensors respond

to the footfall of every guest

To retard the growth of algae

The fishes must be moved

from the window

Stiller than water she lies

As in a glass dress

As if all life might come to its end

within the radius of her bed

Beyond the reef of trees a beach cannot be seen

the bay itself barely breathing

In the other wing of the house

a small boat awaits elucidation

C.D. Wright, "Privacy" from Steal Away: Selected and New Poems (Copper Canyon Press, 2002). www.coppercanyonpress.org

Source: Steal Away: New and Selected Poems by C.D. Wright (Copper Canyon Press, 2003)