Orgie

On nights like this, when bayou and lagoon Swoon in the moonlight’s mystic radiance, I seem to walk like one deep in a trance With old-world myths born of the mist and moon.

Lascivious eyes and mouths of sensual rose Smile into mine: and breasts of luring light, And tresses streaming golden to the night, Persuade me onward where the forest glows.

And then it seems along the haunted hills There falls a flutter as of beautiful feet, As if tempestuous troops of Mænads meet To drain deep bowls and shout and have their wills.

And then I feel her limbs will be revealed Like some great snow-white moth among the trees; Her vampire beauty, waiting there to seize And drag me downward where my doom is sealed.