She Of The Garden

In such a spot, with radiant flowers for halo, I saw the Guardian Angel sit her down; Vine-branches fashioned a green shrine above her And sun-flowers rose behind her like a crown.

Her fingers, their white slenderness encircled With humble, fragile rings of coral round. Held, ranged in couples, sprays of faithful roses. Sealed with a clasp, with threads of woollen bound.

A shimmering air the golden calm was weaving, All filigree'd with dawn, that like a braid Surmounted her pure brow, which still was hidden Half in the shade.

Woven of linen were her veil and sandals. But, twined 'mid boughs of foliage, on their hem The theologic Virtues Three were painted; Hearts set about with gold encompassed them.

Her silken hair, slow rippling, from her shoulder Down to the mosses of the sward did reach; The childhood of her eyes disclosed a silence More sweet than speech.

My arms outstretched, and all my soul upstraining. Then did I rise, With haggard yearning, toward the soul suspended There in her eyes. Those eyes, they shone so vivid with remembrance, That they confessed days lived alike with me: Oh, in the grave inviolate can it change, then, The Long Ago, and live in the To Be?

Sure, she was one who, being dead, yet brought me. Miraculous, a strength that comforteth, And the Viaticum of her survival Guiding me from the further side of Death.

From "LA MULTIPLE SPLENDEUR"