This is a bitter brew
Mixed with my own hand,
I recall how the herbs grew
Flowering over the land.
How the wind blew sweet
And your eyes held the sun,
And this need grew in my heart
That will never be quite done.
A cloud furled like midnight
Covered the rising sea
And slipt like a raven shadow
Bitterly over me.
You knew the sudden knowledge
That filled my heart with fear
And stood against the darkness
As long as you were here!
It Was Tall in the Forest
(Browning Island, Muskoka)
It was tall in the forest
This morning…
The trees were on tiptoe
With their shoulders hunched,
And every daisy lifted its frill
Skyward.
Down the lane between the trees
I was a sudden giant!
"Ho!" I said to a tree toad
Who crossed my path,
"Out of the way… Small Fry…
The world is tall to-day
And walking on long legs!
Ho!" I said to the Small Flat One,
"Out of the way!"
Child … Waiting in a Drawing-Room
Her room reminded me
Of a rich, dark fruit-cake.
There was a "plum-iness" about it…
A claret sort of aura.
Nervous as a witch
On a sea of red carpet
I sat on the edge
Of a high-backed chair,
Longing to hide behind the grave grey portieres
Or run like a rabbit
From her step on the stair!