University of Virginia Library


43

PLEIN AIR

To Oscar Wilde
Purple and white the pansies shone.
Tall stocks that stained the garden walk
With crimson, heard our amorous talk
And blushed to know that she was won.
The golden mirth of sunflowers eyed
Her bosom and mauve heliotrope
Shed balmy breaths of scent in hope
Of her virginity untied.
So when the moon rose in the south
And trailed about the shadowy vine
I felt her breasts pant under mine
And her breath sobbing in my mouth.