listen

beloved

i dreamed

it appeared that you thought to

escape me and became a great

lily atilt on

insolent

waters       but i was aware of

fragrance and i came riding upon

a horse of porphyry       into the

waters i rode down the red

horse shreiking       from splintering

foam caught you clutched you upon my

mouth

listen

beloved

i dreamed       in my dream you had

desire to thwart me and became

a little bird and hid

in a tree of tall marble

from a great way i distinguished

singing and i came

riding upon a scarlet sunset

trampling the night       easily

from the shocked impossible

tower i caught

you strained you

broke you upon my blood

listen

beloved i dreamed

i thought you would have deceived

me and became a star in the kingdom

of heaven

through day and space i saw you close

your eyes       and i came riding

upon a thousand crimson years arched with agony

i reined them in tottering before

the throne and as

they shied at the automaton moon from

the transplendent hand of sombre god

i picked you

as an apple is picked by the little peasants for their girls