you turn your face away from that face
whose eyes lips might make you give up anger
forget insult
steal sadness of not wantingto love
turn away then turn awayat breakfastin the evening don't lift your eyes from the paper
to see that face in all its seriousness a
sweetness of concentration
he holds his bookin his hand
the hard-knuckled winter wood-scarred fingers
turn awaythat's all you cando old as you are to save yourself from love
-- Grace Paley
reprinted with thanks & without permission (FSG)
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