Page:The Poet in the Desert.djvu/14



But runs her hand lovingly over the brow of those who

know her, Soothing with a voluptuous caress. She is a courtesan, wearing jewels. Enticing, smiling a bold smile ; Adjusting her brilliant raiment negligently, Lying brooding upon her floor which is richly carpeted ; Her brown thighs beautiful and naked. She toys with the dazzlry of her diadems, Smiling inscrutably.

She is a nun, withdrawing behind her veil; Gray, subdued, silent, mysterious, meditative ;

unapproachable. She is fair as a goddess sitting beneath a flowering peach- tree, beside a clear river. Her body is tawny with the eagerness of the Sun And her eyes are like pools which shine in deep canyons. She is beautiful as a swart woman, with opals at her

throat. Rubies on her wrists and topaz about her ankles. Her breasts are like the evening and the day stars ; She sits upon her throne of light, proud and silent,

indifferent to her wooers. The Sun is her servitor, the Stars are her attendants ;

running before her. She sings a song unto her own ears, solitary, but it is

sufficient. It is the song of her being. O if I may sing the song of

my being it will be sufficient. She is like a jeweled dancer, dancing upon a pavement of

gold; Dazzling, so that the eyes must be shaded. She wears the stars upon her bosom and braids her hair

with the constellations.

I know the Desert is beautiful, for I have lain in her arms

and she has kissed me. I have come to her, that I may know Freedom;

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