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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WITCH WIFE AND I, by                    
First Line: When the moon has poured her light
Last Line: Day has brought you back to me.
Alternate Author Name(s): Wood, Charles Erskine Scoot, Mrs.
Subject(s): Dreams; Gays & Lesbians; Love; Witchcraft & Witches; Nightmares; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men


When the moon has poured her light,
Her wine of radiance bubbled with star-dew;
When the dawn's death-pallor breaks
And the sunrise lies in lakes,
Rolling crimson on to white,
Rolling saffron on to blue,
Day returns again with you.

Never are you mine to keep
From night who lays us straightly side by side,
Like two carved on a coffin cover,
Close, yet far, till slumber's over.
No, you are not mine in sleep.
A pallid woman, purple-eyed
Of vapor motion is your bride.

From cloud she comes; returns to cloud;
Moon-edged her raiment, raven as her mood.
The secret sacraments of Love
Administered in her shadow-grove
Never to waking are allowed.
Her drink is midnight; fire, her food;
She bears a star-eyed, winged witch-brood.

I am jealous of her speech
That moves in a music for an inner ear
And of her feet walking, earth-shy,
The fluent curves of wind and sky,
Leading you beyond my reach;
Her intangible touch I fear
Lest it lure you from me here.

One with day's gold re-birth --
Eye-opening day where mortal women be --
Dream-desire and witch-want pass.
Now the need for noon and grass,
The solid substance of sweet earth.
You touch my body reverently.
Day has brought you back to me.





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