The Night Dream
to R.L
Dreamed between 1926 and 1933 by Archibald MacLeish

Neither her voice, her name, Eyes, quietness neither, That moved through the light, that came Cold stalk in her teeth Bitten of some blue flower Knew I before nor saw. This was a dream. Ah, This was a dream. There was sun Laid on the cloths of a table. We drank together. Her mouth Was a lion's mouth out of jade Cold with a fable of water. Faces I could not see Watched me with gentleness, Grace Folded my body with wings. I cannot love you she said. My head she laid on her breast. As stillness with ringing of bees I was filled with a singing of praise. Knowledge filled me and peace. We were silent and not ashamed. Ah we were glad that day. They asked me but it was one Dead they meant and not I. She was beside me she said. We rode in a desert place. We were always happy. Her sleeves jangled with jingling of gold. They told me the wind from the south Was the cold wind to be feared. We were galloping under the leaves-- This was a dream, Ah This was a dream.                          And her mouth Was not your mouth nor her eyes, But the rivers were four and I knew As a secret between us, the way Hands touch, it was you.