Ted Hugues, Three River Poems,Catadrome, Caddis,Visitation, Devon, Morrigu Press, 1981.

Caddis

Struggledrudge—with the ideas of a crocodile

And the physique of a fœtus.

 

Absurd mudlark—living your hovel’s life—

Yourself your own worst obstacle.

 

Lugging Castle Paranoia

Through that moonland, like a train off its track,

 

Under the river’s hurricane.

You should have been a crab. It’s no good.

 

Trout in March are crammed

With the debris of your hopeful redoubts.

 

Wasp-face, orphanned and a waif too early,

Improvising—with inaudible war-cries—

 

This Herculean makeshift, hoisting your home,

You can nip my finger but

 

You are still a baby.

Your alfresco Samurai suit of straws

 

Your Nibelungen mail of agates, affirm

Only fantasies of fear and famine.

 

Hurry up. Join the love-orgy

Up here among leaves, in the pattering rain,

 

Under a flimsy tent of dusky wings.