NUANCES OF A LINE BY STEVENS And roamed there all the stupid afternoon. —“Hibiscus on the Sleeping Shores”
Drifting aimlessly, head a big balloon, I floated to the bookstore, saw her there, And roamed there all the stupid afternoon. The books I read I couldn’t read; the room Was too distracting. She was everywhere, Drifting aimlessly, my head a big balloon Tugged behind her on a string—buffoon With smiley face on front; but I didn’t care, And roamed there all the stupid afternoon. Or did I? Day was past the height of noon, And all I loved had lost its steady glare. Drifting aimlessly, head a big balloon Empty of effort, weightless, useless, how soon Would it be dragging listless in the air To roam there, all the stupid afternoon Of life gone by, in twilight? For the moon Outside was fixing me with a ghostly stare— Who drifted aimlessly, head a big balloon, And roamed there all the stupid afternoon.