XXII HEART’S HAVEN

XXII

HEART’S HAVEN

Sometimes she is a child within my arms,

    Cowering beneath dark wings that love must chase, —

    With still tears showering and averted face,

Inexplicably filled with faint alarms:

And oft from mine own spirit’s hurtling harms

    I crave the refuge of her deep embrace, —

    Against all ills the fortified strong place

And sweet reserve of sovereign counter-charms.

And Love, our light at night and shade at noon,

    Lulls us to rest with songs, and turns away

    All shafts of shelterless tumultuous day.

Like the moon’s growth, his face gleams through his tune;

And as soft waters warble to the moon,

    Our answering spirits chime one roundelay.