Garden of the Griffin

I shall whisper to the night, Stars are gentle like the white Wings of butterflies in flight. Soft the evening fell and still; Night came after up the hill, Bringing stars to fly until Sky is full; its gardens far Glitter with their lights, which are A thousand thousand, each a star. Watch the thousand wings and say, Gentle stars, please soar and stray Till tomorrow turns today.

Aphrodite glows Through the last of the blue As the young night drew Down to kiss the rose, Where the day-dove flew As the night-breeze blows.

Mars hangs before the moon, A red bee hovering Above a silver flower’s face. Far below, its roots are washed In water’s gleam Of the watching pond. Night’s garden dreams, Sweet and solitary.

Tell me where the peacock flies (In his tail a hundred eyes) In and out the trees; disguise Of tapestry among the blooms Through the gardens' hundred rooms Where the scented cypress looms Above the jasmine; silver night Wrapped above, beneath; while white The waking moon that dreams delight In wings of green that dip and rise, And gentle jasmine's sweet perfume On the moonlight's breath takes flight.