34 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE WINGS 
 
WITH A GIFT TO MY LADY 
 
HAD I these wings, I would not need to write. 
 I would be with you ;  then, a young male swan, 
 I would find happiness afloat upon 
The ripples of your muscular body, bright 
As mother-of-pearl may be in God’s own sight 
 When He would found His whole new heaven thereon !   
 Thence, would my body were One Eye, to con 
Your face, the rosy lotus of delight !   
 
I would dip deep my beak into the flower 
And pluck your tongue, its ruby heart, and shower 
All my life’s love upon you, swift as Spring’s !   
 And I would lift you on my pinions 
 To light and heat more splendid than the sun’s, 
Mistress !—Woe’s me !  for I have not these wings.