The poem captures the speaker's reflection on a past summer spent with Deborah, as she attempts to reconcile her body image and her longing for connection. The imagery of the Westfield River and the evocative descriptions of nature serve as a backdrop for her exploration of lesbian desire and self-acceptance. The speaker recalls moments of vulnerability during their artistic sessions, highlighting a struggle with shame and a yearning to embrace both her own body and her feelings towards Deborah. Her retrospective thoughts evoke a sense of nostalgia and a desire to appreciate herself as fully as she admires the beauty around her.
I didn't need the painting to remember the Westfield River coiling below steep walls, the sun burning my upturned face clear of features...
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