The Smiles of the Bathers
Weldon Kees

The smiles of the bathers fade as they leave the water,

And the lover feels sadness fall as it ends, as he leaves his

love.

The scholar, closing his book as the midnight clock strikes, is

hollow and old;

The pilot's relief on landing is no release.

These perfect and private things, walling us in, have

imperfect and public endings —

Water and wind and flight, remembered words and the act

of love

Are but interruptions. And the world, like a beast, impatient

and quick,

Waited only for those who are dead. No death for you. You are

involved.