AMBERGRIS 
103 
 
 
 
OTHER LOVE SONGS 
 
Norah 
 
Norah, my wee shy child of wonderment, 
You are sweeter than a swallow-song at dusk ! 
You are braver than a lark that soars and trills 
His lofty laughter of love to a hundred hills ! 
You lie like a sweet nut within the husk 
Of my big arms ;  and uttermost content 
I have of you, my tiny fairy, eh ? 
Do you live in a flower, I wonder, and sleep and pray 
To the good God to send you dew at dawn 
And rain in rain’s soft season, and sun betimes, 
And all the gladness of the afterglow 
When you come shyly out of the folded bud, 
Unsheath your dainty soul, bathe it in blood 
Of my heart ?  Do you love me ?  Do you know 
How I love you ?  Do you love these twittering rimes 
I string you ?  Is your tiny life withdrawn 
 
Into its cup for modesty when I sing 
So softly to you and hold you in my hands, 
You wild, wee wonder of wisdom ?  Now I bring 
My lips to your body and touch you reverently, 
Knowing as I know what Gabriel understands 
When he spreads his wings above for canopy 
When you would sleep, you frail angelic thing 
Like a tiny snowdrop in its own life curled— 
But oh !  the biggest heart in all the world !