Now

1
Now spills the silk of night out of the moon
along the folds and furrows of the earth.
See how like skin it lies against you, how
now you must feel, a shadow thing
within yourself and wandering.

How hidden you have been!
You that are more longed for than
all the gems of the earth.

Now forever spans the fabric of the night
along the river worlds and tree-shade.
See how like your first kiss it pins you, how
empty space hums and swarms with dreams,
now the tender heart of your humanness
can blossom, raw, pink, unfolding.

How unfair and fine your beauty!
You that are more fleeting than
all the flowers of the earth.

2
A snake's vague dreams
Of spring, as he lies
Dead as winter midnight
Buried without grief
In the river bank.

He dreams of life,
An inch high paradise
Quivering with light
And shadow-the grass
The hard, black ants.

The heat of the sun
The sandstone holds
Like faith in fullness
He thinks of the sky
And stone, and their love.

And the tumult of the
Mouse or broken bird,
The raw and teasing heat
Of their wilting sends his
Body exploding into life.