love poem

My clumsiest dear, whose hands shipwreck vases, At whose quick touch all glasses chip and ring, Whose palms are bulls in china, burs in linen, And have no cunning with any soft thing Except all ill-at-ease fidgeting people: 5 The refugee uncertain at the door You make at home; deftly you steady The drunk clambering on his undulant floor. Unpredictable dear, the taxi drivers' terror, Shrinking from far headlights pale as a dime 10 Yet leaping before …

…reader through these descriptions all for a greater good. He moves on in the poem describing her inner-soul, her intrinsic good will towards those in need. Through the juxtaposition of these two types of images -- the awkward and the adept - Nims's beloved is reborn. By the final stanza we too see her true beauty and grace. And, most importantly, we come to understand this poem for what it is...a true love poem.