The lady fled down steps of dream across a terrace of delight and passed beside the lotus pool reflecting stars -- she stayed her flight an instant -- then the sound of hooves in swift pursuit transversed the night. The lady left the crystal gate of black enchantment swinging wide upon a silent silver hinge and fled with one white moth as guide beyond the hedge of thorn -- to skirt the meadow -- echoing hoof beats died. The lady had returned at dawn. She smiles, but shadows in her eyes are like a domino and mask to wear against too bold surmise -- and time is phantom carnival she threads in permanent disguise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TREKKING THE HILLS OF NORTHERN THAILAND by KAREN SWENSON MATER IN EXTREMIS by JEAN STARR UNTERMEYER TO A LITTLE INVISIBLE BEING WHO IS EXPECTED SOON TO BECOME VISIBLE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD SONNET: 144 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE IO VICTIS by WILLIAM WETMORE STORY PLAYING IT SAFE by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS SORCERY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |