GRAINS OF SAND
149
But those who touch the desert's rim know many desert things—
Blown to their hearts as grains of sand are on the melons blown—
How marriage feasts are followed by the swoop of evil wings,
And there are poison cups behind the arras of a throne.
Between the swathings of a veil a grain of sand may slip,
Till fancy seals a lover's kiss upon a virgin lip.
Blown to their hearts as grains of sand are on the melons blown—
How marriage feasts are followed by the swoop of evil wings,
And there are poison cups behind the arras of a throne.
Between the swathings of a veil a grain of sand may slip,
Till fancy seals a lover's kiss upon a virgin lip.
A flick of gems may set ablaze a fire to scourge a land,
An uncut melon hold a slip of parchment closely writ;
And fate may place instead of flowers a dagger in your hand,
And chance may mutter in your ear the need for using it.
For those who live upon the edge of an enchanted strand
Can read strange stories in the dance of drifting grains of sand!
An uncut melon hold a slip of parchment closely writ;
And fate may place instead of flowers a dagger in your hand,
And chance may mutter in your ear the need for using it.
For those who live upon the edge of an enchanted strand
Can read strange stories in the dance of drifting grains of sand!
