SEE the stars, love,
In the water much clearer and
brighter
Than those
above us, and whiter,
Like nenuphars.
Star-shadows shine,
love,
How many stars
in your bowl?
How
many shadows in your soul,
Only mine, love, mine?
When I move the oars,
love,
See how the
stars are tossed,
Distorted, the brightest lost.
— So that bright one of
yours, love.
The poor waters spill
The stars, waters broken,
forsaken.
— The heavens are not shaken, you say,
love,
Its stars
stand still.
There, did you see
That spark fly up at us;
even
Stars are not
safe in heaven.
— What of yours, then, love,
yours?
What then, love, if soon
Your light be tossed over a
wave?
Will you count
the darkness a grave,
And swoon, love, swoon?