Silver and Roses, Henna and Myrrh

 

 

 

To My Despoiler

 

The piracy of thy marauding charms

Has snatched away the ravin of my heart,

Laid waste my mild aplomb with loving arms

And left my solitary pride to smart.

Nor brigands nor swift raptors ravishing,

Nor kites nor hawks that race across the sky,

Upon their quarry frenzied fury lavishing,

Comparison with thy love’s rape aby.

Defend me well against thee I cannot;

Avails but for an instant fast to flee,

For with thy faster arrow I were shot

And thy more sov’reign longing I should fee.

Wherefore with fatal happiness I stand

Surrendering my love to thy command.

 

                        Sunday, January 26, 1969