Helen Birch-Bartlett

From “A Line-a-day for Certain Lovers”

CLOUD upon cloud of mist,

Fog clouds,

And curtains of rain.

Oh, the glistening world that lay last night

Beyond the narrow and indrawing circle

Of this grey morning’s vision!

I fear some secret chemistry at work

Among these shifting shrouds,

That stir and move repulsively,

Like dank old water weeds

In an old and stagnant pond.

These dim cloud-walls may well conceal

Some darker crown

Than the pool’s white crown of fire-flies.

Have you no delicately colored words,

Does your hand possess no new grace,

Your eyes no cunning,

To lure away this fantasy?

Your eyes….

Your eyes!