The Promise
Tonight alone I dream of a distant star
That moved before I came
Ships across the seas by her flame
And camels where deserts scar.
Tonight I think of you I have not seen
And tell my heart go slow to love
Columbus sailed where no dreams have been
Noah's raven was lost, not his dove.
And what will you be to me
The raven haunting my door,
Or my caged heart cooing here evermore
Thou sweetest of all sweet poesy?
My body tired of lonely walls would break
The dividing boundary of the tide
And speak to the rock for your sake
Turn my eyes' water into bride.
But I am a Moses or Da Gama to command
I have no rod or ship to bring
And if perchance my fortunes sing
No treasures of Ophir would grace your hand
All my devotion in one sun would speak
To be the candle of your eyes
And hush your cares with patience meek
Undoing the memories of bruising lies.
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