Marsh Lilies

There are a thousand lilies in a pond Beyond the marshes’ edges, and beyond There may be more where cypress dark and Fashion a roof where slender herons sleep, But I can only speak of what I know. So, quietly with dusk’s blue fall I go Down to the marsh where lilies open wide Showing the yellows of their hearts inside, And in an hour’s time, or maybe less, My eyes have counted acres of loveliness As though a snow had fallen in this land Of scorching sun and cypresses and sand.

But there is one, no matter how I try, I cannot pick beneath that stretch of sky, A brighter one than any lily I know. I reach for it and it is trembling so Upon the waters I almost pull away, Then reach again. It glitters bright as day, But all the closer that I reach it seems To blink, elusive as a thing in dreams. Perhaps some night, but not a night too soon, I'll bring back home that blossom of the moon.