To You: Paradise Sonnet
I dreamt I walked in Adam’s paradise,
beyond the Viper’s grasp, and could not sin,
that emeralds graced the trees, while every vice
marring me now was healed from within;
white satin clouds laced the jade-green sky
as jaguars licked my face in velvet rhyme,
removing every wheal: thus cured of time,
careless in the flowers I did lie,
and knowledge grew, as angels spoke to me,
their wings great molten thoughts, that mountains moved;
sweet fruits, fair music mine – ageless and free
I roamed with nothing lacking but my Love.
Then bitterly I wept, and begged anew
For perfect joys: I woke – and there was you.
JVB Written upon waking in my secret lover’s arms
New Orleans, late June, 1963
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