You’re going to have to do some of the work here
Imagine these words stretching out an inviting hand toward you
The muscles in the forearm taut, the ribs all but puncturing the skin
And the legs aligned, in unison with the beckoning arm
Imagine these words, then as..who? Lolita perhaps. On the back lawn
Offering their innocence, their knowingness….their halting occlusion
Are you tempted to read on? Risk all for the knowingness?
Have knowledge of these words? Betray the innocence?
I see you are discomfited by my phraseology
Which has assumed Rubenesque proportions due to your work ethic
Your lewd imagination that Humbert would disdain
If he discovers that you’ve had your way with my words….
Well, you know what happened to Quilty, don’t you?
So be less attentive, dissemble. Let the words stay at arm’s length
Look askance at them. Allow them to wander coolly into your ambit
Put on your sunglasses so the words may not see the lust in your eyes.
wbalanstuart
wiseblood.net 
E.M. Forster wrote – ‘only connect….’. It’s amazing that no seems to see the links – it’s like everyone wants a fake Rolex and gets off on it.
Kubrick’s version ‘Lolita’ still stacks up and is respectful to the original novel, given the major constraints of 1962. What was James Mason thinking, in re-engaging a similar but inferior story – pour me a Fosters cobber !!
Yes. I’m aware of this film. It was one of Michael Powell’s last movies and Helen Mirren’s first major role. I had Nabakov’s novel in mind when I wrote this piece and the James Mason connection is coincidental. But well spotted. I’m now going to get a copy of the restored movie and see if it stacks up. Generally, I’ve always admired Powell’s films – ‘Peeping Tom’ being probably one of the most important British movies.