The diver is my love
and I am his, if I to be deceived
who takes one breath above for eve-ry
hour below the sea
Who gave to me a jewel
worth twice this woman's life, though it cost her less
than laying at low tide to see
her true love phosphoresce.
And in an infinite regress,
tell me why is the pain of birth
lighter borne than the pain of death?
I ain't saying I loved you first,
but I loved you best.
I know we must abide
the divers and the sailors and
the women on the pier.
How do you choose your voice?
How do you choose your name? How do you choose your life?
How do you choose the time you must
exhale and kick and rise?
And in an infinite capsize,
like a boat tearing down the coast,
double hulls bearing double masts.
I don't know if you loved me most,
but you loved me last.
Recall the word you gave