The Promise

Tonight alone I dream of a distant star That moved before I came Ships across the seas by her flame And camels where deserts scar. Tonight I think of you I have not seen And tell my heart go slow to love Columbus sailed where no dreams have been Noah's raven was lost, not his dove. And what will you be to me The raven haunting my door, Or my caged heart cooing here evermore Thou sweetest of all sweet poesy? My body tired of lonely walls would break The dividing boundary of the tide And speak to the rock for your sake Turn my eyes' water into bride. But I am a Moses or Da Gama to command I have no rod or ship to bring And if perchance my fortunes sing No treasures of Ophir would grace your hand All my devotion in one sun would speak To be the candle of your eyes And hush your cares with patience meek Undoing the memories of bruising lies.