Topic Tags:
0 Comments

Joe Dolce: ‘In Repose’

Joe Dolce

Feb 28 2023

1 mins

In Repose

In the water she lay in repose,
the hot bath always a quiet time,
her arm was stiff, the water was cold.

Many nights we often slept alone,
she in her small bed and I in mine,
in the water she lay in repose.

Up for toilet, my regular stroll,
three am bathroom ritual time,
her arm was stiff, the water was cold.

The flame had turned the tea-kettle gold,
glowing in the dark and boiled dry,
in the water she lay in repose.

She seemed fast asleep, her eyes were closed.
Wake up darling, I felt for some sign,
her arm was stiff, the water was cold.

Wake up darling! my voice uncontrolled,
her mouth just below the water line.
In the water she lay in repose,
her arm was stiff, the water was cold.

Joe Dolce

Joe Dolce

Joe Dolce

Contributing Editor, Film

Joe Dolce

Contributing Editor, Film

Comments

Join the Conversation

Already a member?

What to read next

  • Letters: Authentic Art and the Disgrace of Wilgie Mia

    Madam: Archbishop Fisher (July-August 2024) does not resist the attacks on his church by the political, social or scientific atheists and those who insist on not being told what to do.

    Aug 29 2024

    6 mins

  • Aboriginal Culture is Young, Not Ancient

    To claim Aborigines have the world's oldest continuous culture is to misunderstand the meaning of culture, which continuously changes over time and location. For a culture not to change over time would be a reproach and certainly not a cause for celebration, for it would indicate that there had been no capacity to adapt. Clearly this has not been the case

    Aug 20 2024

    23 mins

  • Pennies for the Shark

    A friend and longtime supporter of Quadrant, Clive James sent us a poem in 2010, which we published in our December issue. Like the Taronga Park Aquarium he recalls in its 'mocked-up sandstone cave' it's not to be forgotten

    Aug 16 2024

    2 mins