John Frederick Nims

Here you will find the Poem Madrigal In Time Of War of poet John Frederick Nims

Madrigal In Time Of War

Beside the rivers of the midnight town 
Where four-foot couples love and paupers drown, 
Shots of quick hell we took, our final kiss, 
The great and swinging bridge a bower for this. 


Your cheek lay burning in my fingers? cup; 
Often my lip moved downward and yours up 
Till both adjusted, tightened, locksmith-true: 
The flesh precise, the crazy brain askew. 


Roughly the train with grim and piston knee 
Pounded apart our pleasure, you from me; 
Flare warned and ticket whispered and bell cried. 
Time and the locks of bitter rail divide. 


For ease remember, all that parted lie: 
Men who in camp of shot or doldrum die, 
Who at land?s-end eternal furlough take 


?This for memento as alone you wake.