Orchids :: :: University of Virginia Library

O star above the sunset's purple wave,
It had been thine to heal, to spare, to save.
My heart was thine, my soul was one with thee,
Grown virginal in thy virginity.
Thy fingers with the cool sweet touch of flowers
Had healed me from the devastated hours.
Thy words had cleansed me and thy love had made
A port where Love had anchored unafraid.
But strength and love and skill in song and rhyme
Shake not the edict of unshaken Time.
I would have given thee love, alas! a name
To set thee foremost in the ranks of fame
And life could life have bidden thy spirit live.
Ah sweet, but what thou hadst thou wouldst not give!