The Scented Garden

84 The kiss of consciousness, Human and Divine. XIX. The Cherry Tree I know a cherry-tree by Bendimir1 Whose blossom curves and sways upon the clear Eddies of light ; I have a cedar boat Whose cushions are of dove’s down2 ; let us steer Under that tree and lie alone together What time the West is grey, the stars appear. Then you shall love me as a virgin would ; Shudder a little with a little fear, But yield thy podex to my lotus-wand, Giving some smile twin sister to a tear, Just as the body shudders3 when the soul Gives up to Allah, in its hot career, Identity ; impales its sunless self On to the splendour of that sunbright spear, And laughs and weeps, not knowing what it does, Entering the glowing rapture of the sphere Where He is manifestly all ; and all He ; where the I and Thou must disappear. We shall not know if thee I sodomize, Or if thou sodomizest me, my dear !