My Mistress Moon

My mistress moon

‘Come, my darling, come to bed:
The sun’s asleep and, in its stead,
The moon is ripe and round and red
And bids you, love, to come to bed.’

             Moonlight sifting,
             Slowly drifting,
             Gleams and glistens; each caress
             Of night air skims
             And licks her limbs
             And laves them in its loveliness.

‘No thoughts, my sweet, but now and here,
No fashioned guilt, nor borrowed fear:
The moon is cloudless, calm and clear
And prays you lie beside me here.’

             Love’s insistence
             Quells resistance,
             Cowed, I climb upon her bed;
             She lays me down
             And lifts my gown
             In one swift stroke above my head.

‘Now, beloved, let us kiss:
Would your mouth deny me this?
The moon’s a-brim with boundless bliss
And pleads you grant me one brief kiss.’

             Doubt retreating,
             Bodies meeting,
             Fingers brush my finger-tips
             And in her eyes
             The truest lies
             Draw me closer to her lips.

‘Here, my lover, let me test
My teeth upon your tender breast:
The moon has bred and bathed and blessed
Our bodies for this lovers’ quest.’

             With her kisses,
             She dismisses
             All but this: her driving me,
             Body tendered,
             Self surrendered,
             Beyond the brink of ecstasy.

‘Hush, my angel, rest with me,
The sun’s aflame with jealousy;
The moon, though fled, is full and free
And bids that you might rest with me.’

             Sleep redeeming,
             Lovers dreaming
             Dream as though our dreams are one,
             Till my waking
             Brings the breaking
             Of my heart, for she is gone.