Songs of Sun and Shade

You lay so still in the sunshine,
So still in that hot sweet hour – 
That the timid things of the forest land
Came close; a butterfly lit on your hand,
Mistaking it for a flow’r.

You scarcely breath’d in your slumber,
So dreamless it was, so deep– 
While the warm air stirr’d in my veins like wine,
The air that had blown thro’ a jasmine vine,
But you slept – and I let you sleep.

Thou hast bewitched me, belovèd,
Till I am weaker than water,
Water that drips from the fountain,
Through thy white tapering fingers.

Yet as the waters together
Gather and grow to a torrent,
Gathers the flood of my passion,
Bearing thee forth on its bosom!

The sunshine met the stormwind
As he swept across the plain,
And she wooed him till he lov’d her,
And his kisses fell as rain.

She was fair, and he was ardent.
And behold! one happy morn,
While I watched their mingled glory,
Lo! a rainbow child was born!

Thou art risen, my beloved,
And thou callest me to follow,
Follow thro’ the chilly twilight
Of this silent virgin morning.

Whither, whither wouldst thou lead me,
To what place of new enchantment?
Can the day that thou art seeking
Give such rapture as the darkness?

Thou art warm with many kisses,
With the hand clasps of thy lover,
Turn again unto my bosom,
I would have it night for ever!

This is the island of gardens,
Filled with a marvelous fragrance,
O! the pale scent of the jasmine!
O! the delicious mimosa!

Beating soft pinions together,
Cometh a wind from the mountains;
Why wouldst thou leave us, O small wind?
Rest thee awhile ‘mid the laurels.

Even as thou, have I wandered
Over the earth and the ocean,
Pondering many things deeply,
Now I lie down in the sunshine.