And when she looked across the night Beneath, among, those points of light, Into his heart she shot a pang, As if a voice within him sang, Sang and was silent. He watched red roses dropt apart Each to disclose a charnel heart. Her gown was light, and lightly blew, A gauze of flame it burned him through. Pale walls enclosed them. One light shed A yellow flicker across the bed.
Loud steps rang through the street, and then The hush of night grew deep again.
Green leaves pushed up through yielding air Greedy for life she loosed her hair With conscious and indifferent hands. . . . Far in the night, or in his brain, He heard her whisper, felt her pass, Shadow of spirit over glass. Speak her own tongue to pledge and please. In leaves, she was near enough to kiss, And yet, impalpable as death. But still it broke in light away.