“The night, darker than blackwood leaves,
is as black as the touchstone that assays the purity
of gold—
the precious gold, in this case, is love.
The night is streaked with golden lines in shining clusters—
yellow saffron painted on the skin of women
sneaking out to meet their lovers.”
Krishna stood in the doorway to his sylvan hideaway,
effulgent with the splendor of his jeweled bracelets,
armbands, and a golden belt,
and with the brilliance of the gem suspended from his
pearl necklace.
Seeing him thus, Radha became shy.
And so her companion spoke:
EAGER FOR THE delights of sex, there’s laughter on your face;
So enter here, Radha, and be with Krishna, Refrain
and make love in his lush arbor, in this lovely place.
11.15
Your necklace shimmers on a breast that heaves;
So enter here, Radha, and be with Krishna,
and make love on a bed of fresh gladiola leaves.