To You: Paradise Sonnet

I dreamt I walked in Adam’s paradise, beyond the Viper’s grasp, and could not sin, that emeralds graced the trees, while every vice marring me now was healed from within; white satin clouds laced the jade-green sky as jaguars licked my face in velvet rhyme, removing every wheal: thus cured of time, careless in the flowers I did lie, and knowledge grew, as angels spoke to me, their wings great molten thoughts, that mountains moved; sweet fruits, fair music mine – ageless and free I roamed with nothing lacking but my Love. Then bitterly I wept, and begged anew For perfect joys: I woke – and there was you. JVB Written upon waking in my secret lover’s arms New Orleans, late June, 1963