Marguerite Wilkinson

A WOMAN’S BELOVED
A Psalm

To what shall a woman liken her beloved,

And with what shall she compare him to do him honor?

He is like the close-folded new leaves of the woodbine, odorless, but sweet,

Flushed with a new and swiftly rising life,

Strong to grow and give glad shade in summer.

Even thus should a woman’s beloved shelter her in time of anguish.

And he is like the young robin, eager to try his wings,

For within soft-stirring wings of the spirit has she cherished him,