10-MY LADY HOPE

I dreamt of Lady Hope tonight

She smiled on me so sweetly,

Fair as in days of our keen youth

When she kissed me very sweetly.

“Where did you go, my Lady, my love,

What countries saw your features?

Your flaming gaze, your sunburnt hands,

Your reach to other futures?”

“I’ve always been here, young man of mine,

Here where the wise can see me,

You grew up & lost your keen eye

& the faint are not able to see me.”

“We all must grow up, my Lady, my love,

How can I again see you?”

“Remember how knowledge led you to love,

Hold fast to that, & you’ll see me.”

“But you’re no longer a girl, my love,

Rosy as dawn & eyes shining.”

“We all grow up, old man of mine,

I’m a woman now, eyes shining.”