The Stealer

         

         

         I lie and live

         my body's fear

         something's at large

         and coming near

         

         No deadbolt

         can keep it back

         A worm of fog

         leaks through a crack

         

         From the darkness

         as before

         it grows to body

         in my door

         

         Like a taker

         scarved and gloved

         it steals this way

         like one I loved

         

         Fear stiffens me

         and a slow joy

         at the approach

         of the sheathed boy

         

         Will he too do

         what that one did

         unlock me first

         open the lid

         

         and reach inside

         with playful feel

         all the better

         thus to steal

 
 


* From Collected Poems by Thom Gunn.
COLLECTED POEMS. Copyright © 1994 by Thom Gunn.
 

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