New Lover

perversely you bring me here to the seaside in imitation
          of my first love
as a silent tribute to my wonderful first-time sweet-heart
I can no longer bend myself without the least precaution
out over the ocean like sea-grass growing ashore
this is part of the ocean a filthier noisier portion
so many years have passed
and thanks to many more first loves and true loves the ocean
          is old and dirty
just like me right now
in new love-affairs far more practised
than this bustling frenetic wharf
here together we process the sea
both still believing
that we’re doing so out of respect

NEW LOVER