The Stranger

When the sun bloomed And the bougainvillea blossomed And her cheeks unfurled Into a long smile At sunset, I had her in my arms; I knew her. When the whales sprayed silhouettes, And the fishermen made their bets; Porpoise stitched the sea Into a sunset dress For her to wear at the dance That night after we argued About strangers. (And please don’t talk to them And don’t drink And don’t dally about And don’t be someone else I don’t know.) Don’t be a stranger When you come home when the sun rises, Blooming.