Ambergris

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 Is your tiny life withdrawn Into its cup for modesty when I sing So softly to you and hold you in my hands, You wild, wee wonder of wisdom ?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 !