1984

Faint as Leaf Shadow

Gothic Suite Song Collection

"Faint as Leaf Shadow" is the fourth song in Bowles's song cycle Gothic Suite, which sets the texts of Tennessee Williams.

Text

Faint as Leaf Shadow
by Tennessee Williams

Faint as leaf shadow does he fade
and do you fail in touching him.
His eyelids close upon your eyes’
quicksilver which bewilders him.

At times these frontiers of the twain
may seem no longer to exist.
But why then is the breath disturbed?
and does the silver body twist.

And why the whisper of a name
As though enquiring Is it true?
Which goes unanswered until sleep
has loosened his fierce hold of you.

Sheet Music

Paul Bowles