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Your body was a sacred cell always,

A jewel that grew dull in garish light,

An opal which beneath my wondering gaze

Gleamed rarely, softly throbbing in the night.

I touched your flesh with reverential hands,

For you were sweet and timid like a flower

That blossoms out of barren tropic sands,

Shedding its perfume in one golden hour.

You yielded to my touch with gentle grace,

And though my passion was a mighty wave

That buried you beneath its strong embrace,

You were yet happy in the moment's grave.

Still more than passion consummate to me,

More than the nuptials immemorial sung,

Was the warm thrill that melted me to see

Your clean brown body, beautiful and young;