Benediction

Goddess of love, thy

silken gaze befriend her;

and give to your blushing daughter

fruit of your vine, and such grace

extend her

as to disclose in all

things small

her daily provender.

Trickster of time, least

can you stall

such sweet surrender as

will admit her lightest fall, fresh

through your

raking tines, into

love’s garden

and heart’s own lavender.

Tender-lipped night, bending

with upland dew

upon the sweet germander,

Well keep her hid there

against the darkened

moor, where pleasures leap

not out upon

the common traveler.