THE WORLD'S DESIRE

The roses of voluptuousness

Wreathe her dark locks and hide her eyes;

Her limbs are flower-like nakedness,

Wherethrough the fragrant blood doth press,

The blossom-blood of Paradise.

She stands with Lilith finger tips,

With Lilith hands; and gathers up

The wild wine of all life; and sips

With Lilith-laughter-lightened lips

The soul as from a crystal cup.

What though she cast the cup away!

The empty bowl that flashed with wine!

Her curled lips’ kiss, that stained the clay,

Her fingers’ touch — shall not these stay,

That made its nothingness divine?

Through one again shall live the glow,

Immortalizing, of her touch;

And through the other, sweet to know

How life swept flame once‘ neath the snow

Of her mooned breasts,— and this is much!