This poem is a very personal account of Leonard's introspections during the time he spent with Suzanne by the water. The river seems to be a symbol that connects all elements of this poem and adds to the imagery he is trying to create for the reader. The river and the boats going by, make the reader imagine a journey. He frequently talks about travel. He writes, 'and you want to travel with her, you want to travel blind'. This may be referring to this desire to connect with her on a more intimate level, though he was unable to take that step. Perhaps it was due to his respect for her involvement with their mutual friend. His longing for her though, is apparent when he writes, 'for you've touched her perfect body with your mind'. He even seems to believe that the feeling is mutual when he writes, 'for she's touched your perfect body with her mind'.
His longing for Suzanne and an appreciation or idealization of her is central to the poem. They obviously shared a unique connection. In the last stanza, she seems to have an insight that she reveals to Leonard 'while Suzanne holds the mirror', perhaps reflecting to him the plight of the children by the water. They are 'leaning out for love', and I imagine the love they are asking for is money and that they are poor and begging.
The references to Jesus at first seem a bit out of place in this poem. However, a closer look reveals a comparison between Leonard's longing for a deeper connection with Suzanne and a believer's longing for connection with Jesus. He depicts Jesus as someone who appears to be god-like 'when he walked upon the water', but 'he himself was broken'. He creates a metaphor of Jesus as a sailor, which also speaks of travel. If he is comparing Jesus with Suzanne, they are both sailors and both on their own journey. It seems he is suggesting that even though both of them, Jesus and Suzanne, may give the impression of offering that special solace, it is actually just a facade. Both of them may be unable to provide what it is that the seeker is longing for.
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