40

(Love Song to a Young Woman, 1960)

On the first day
In the low green and sacred hush of leaves
The light was keeping its own company

And on the second day
Did I imagine you here breaking the water's dark
Or was it light that was moving from tree to tree

And then, long ago, on the third day,
The river was flowing
And the white birds flying were paths of autumn

and you were my children on the fourth and fifth
     day

All hands and faces and knees of them like light
     releasing
Through the sixth day to tender callings

Out past the grave on the final day

As if to old men who adore you so
That heaven seems less dear than light they know

(c)Robert P. Arthur               1993

from Hymn to the Chesapeake

Road Publishers, Painter, VA