What have I to say to you 
When we shall meet? 
Yet— 
I lie here thinking of you. 

The stain of love 
Is upon the world. 
Yellow, yellow, yellow, 
It eats into the leaves, 
Smears with saffron 
The horned branches that lean 
Heavily 
Against a smooth purple sky. 
There is no light— 
Only a honey-thick stain 
That drips from leaf to leaf 
And limb to limb 
Spoiling the colors 
Of the whole world. 

I am alone. 
The weight of love 
Has buoyed me up 
Till my head 
Knocks against the sky. 

See me! 
My hair is dripping with nectar— 
Starlings carry it 
On their black wings. 
See, at last 
My arms and my hands 
Are lying idle. 

How can I tell 
If I shall ever love you again 
As I do now?


 = Ben Day