Poems By Arjava

SlLVER bee on brooch of jade

In this ebon casket laid,

What taper fingers thrust you there,

Put on the lid and turned with care

The bronzen key as if afraid ?

Though dream-poised by neck as bright

As a lily built of light,

Where his proud lips flashing red

Kissed so very Time was bled

Of scathful ichor, tarry flight ;

Live those moments through again—

Nimble joy with unthrift pain—,

Let the lingering shadows lie

In that dim pagoda high,

Where caged cicadas chaunt their strain.