AMOS OZ
411
Lie down. Get some rest. We'll talk later.
If
you need me for anything
just say Albert and I'll be right there. Don't be shy. Or simply come
to my office. It's through there. I'll just be sitting finishing off some
accounts.
You're no trouble at all. On the contrary : for some time now-
He stopped himself. Under the towel her hips made a whispering sound
and he was blushing as though he had been caught red-handed.
In the light-groping darkness
A widowed father with an honest name
lies wide awake in the night consumed with shame:
a sleeping woman the cause of his pain.
She's there alone-his eyes are open wide–
next door she's lying naked, on her side .
So young. A child . My daughter, my bride!
He switches on the bedside light and blinks
at his son and wife on the sideboard. He thinks
for a while. Then pads to the kitchen and drinks.
He sits down at his desk and begins to dream
heavy thoughts: his shadow stares back from the screen.
What a difficult summer, he types, this has been.
From the garden oLitside where nothing has stirred
in the li ght-groping darkness, a single bird:
narimi narimi.
Yes, I heard.
Restless he stands: how he longs to spread
a blanket on her, and stroke her head.
He stifles these feelings, and goes back to bed.
He turns and tosses. Of sleep there's no sign.
He turns on the light and checks the time:
it's five o'clock here-so in Tibet it's nine.
