1. Don't let a blink scorn your gaze
Or dim the light in your sight

2. Take spring as it dawns
Make its season yours in a blink

3. Poppies ripped open my heart
Quench it, appease it

4. The earth seems to bloom from them
An open book, unfolded

5. And narcissus partly closed
As if sorrow left it

6. Batting its kohl-lined eye
Like one trying to shut it

7. Inhale the lily's scent
Like braids undone, unplaited

8. Carnations like pearls forged
Or silver well burnished

9. Colocynths like stars
You won't see them fall

10. Capping them off
Like sealed scrolls

11. The breeze tried to shake them free
With the moon's silver flash

12. The garden smiled only
With tears it had rejected

13. Still it sways to and fro
From every loving friend

14. Until roses came alive
And musk spread its aroma

15. It showed crimson braids
Their belts unfastened

16. As if the clouds were an army
Spreading across the horizon

17. As if lightning in them
Urged by your return

18. As if thunder a bombardment
Threatening in its rumble

19. As if the wind wanted
To rouse some thorns for you

20. As if the sea surged up
To meet you in yearning

21. And the river stretched out its palm
To hasten your taking