Over the limp and yellow grasses, Deborah, will you walk with me? You may gather gentians in purple masses And honeypods from the locust tree. Brown leaves cover the partridge berry, Holding it safe for your questing hand. Barberry bush and cornelian cherry Offering scarlet jewels stand. I will dress you up as an elf-queen, twining Bittersweet wreaths for your golden head. Your leaf-brown cloak with its orange lining I will hang with garlands yellow and red. We must leave this place while the sunlight lingers Lest the elves should covet your beauty bright. The gentians fall from your tired fingers As I carry you home in the fading light. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HOUSE OF DUST: 1 by CONRAD AIKEN JASPER by DONALD (GRADY) DAVIDSON THEN AND NOW by CECIL DAY LEWIS I'VE NOTHING TO OFFER by DAVID IGNATOW LINES ON CARMEN SYLVA by EMMA LAZARUS |