Japanese Iris

A great prince of the ancient days Once loved a little geisha girl, Who wore a silken robe, Blue as the waters of the lily-pond. But the Great Prince was sent to a distant island, And the little geisha girl Never put on her robe of blue again.

And you, O purple iris with the golden bands, Are the soul of the Great Prince; And you, O slender one, Blue as lapis lazuli, Are the soul of the little dancing-girl; And you nestle at last Beside your stately purple Prince, Here in the sunshine of my northern garden.