Magdalene

Now she lay on the white marble flags, and her hair Made a soft cloud of gold, through the cloud here and there Peeped the warm, rosy skin. And her eyes were as dreams Dreamt in youth by a god, while her kiss-craving lips, Red with love, haunted men. In her pallid despair She had come from her palace, she knelt at my feet And her tears as they fell burnt my flesh. Then she spoke-- Whispered sins music made like a nun’s clinking beads. Magdalene, Magdalene, glowing shame of the world! Just a touch of my lips on her brow crimson tinged, And her head like a child’s lay at rest on my breast. Lullaby, Magdalene, yours my kiss and my song.