Unicorn and the White Doe
Unicorn with burning heart
Breath of love has drawn
On his desolate peak apart
At rumor of dawn,
Breath of love has drawn
On his desolate peak apart
At rumor of dawn,
Has trumpeted his pride
These long years mute,
Tossed his horn from side to side,
Lunged with his foot.
These long years mute,
Tossed his horn from side to side,
Lunged with his foot.
Like a storm of sand has run
Breaking his own boundaries,
Stolen in hiding from the sun
Under camphor trees.
Breaking his own boundaries,
Stolen in hiding from the sun
Under camphor trees.
Straight was the course he took
Across the plain, but here with briar
And mire the tangled alleys crook;
They balk desire.
Across the plain, but here with briar
And mire the tangled alleys crook;
They balk desire.
A shoulder glinted white —
The bough still shakes —
A white doe darted out of sight
Through the forest brakes.
The bough still shakes —
A white doe darted out of sight
Through the forest brakes.
Tall and close the camphors grow
The grass grows thick —
Where you are I do not know,
You fly so quick.
The grass grows thick —
Where you are I do not know,
You fly so quick.
Where have you fled from me?
I pursue, you fade,
I hunt, you hide from me
In the tangled glade.
I pursue, you fade,
I hunt, you hide from me
In the tangled glade.
Often from my hot lair
I would watch you drink,
A mirage of tremulous air,
At the pool’s brink.
I would watch you drink,
A mirage of tremulous air,
At the pool’s brink.
Vultures, rocking high in air
By the western gate,
Warned me with discordant cry
You are even such as I:
You have no mate.
By the western gate,
Warned me with discordant cry
You are even such as I:
You have no mate.