I tell you that I see her still br At the dark entrance of the hall. br One gas lamp burning near her shoulder br Shone also from her other side br Where hung the long inaccurate glass br Whose pictures were as troubled water. br An immense shadow had its hand br Between us on the floor, and seemed br To hump the knuckles nervously, br A giant crab readying to walk, br Or a blanket moving in its sleep. br br You will remember, with a smile br Instructed by movies to reminisce, br How strict her corsets must have been, br How the huge arrangements of her hair br Would certainly betray the least br Impassionate displacement there. br It was no rig for dallying, br And maybe only marriage could br Derange that queenly scaffolding - br As when a great ship, coming home, br Coasts in the harbor, dropping sail br And loosing all the tackle that had laced br Her in the long lanes... br I know br We need not draw this figure out br But all that whalebone came for whales br And all the whales lived in the sea, br In calm beneath the troubled glass, br Until the needle drew their blood. br I see her standing in the hall, br Where the mirror's lashed to blood and foam, br And the black flukes of agony br Beat at the air till the light blows out.