Untitled The sapphire-sprinkled lake of wine lies tranquil in the dusk And somewhere meets the colonnade of somber mounts aloof The purple evening monochrome behind their rocky tusks Speaks more of quiet canopy than vaulting cosmic roof For reverence and quietude each passing moment bids In silence to her chambers now the weary sun does tread But dimming rays, subdued in winning through her rainbow lids Spread golden creams and aquas all above her downy bed Diffusing mists veil all, but to translate, not to obscure Abstracting hues and images to silken soulful moods And close above a single star beams crystal light and pure Assuring me God smiles upon His son who sits and broods Beauty indeed, but lacking yet that harmony of mind A kindred hushed romantic who might share this dreamy scape Much speaking in her silence, able also to divine And read the amber passions 'neath my countenance's drape A white resplendent swan glides smooth in shallows by a rock And darts its sure neck forth to catch a pale, elusive sprite An angler's ebon form is fixed above the murky dock He tries his hopeful cord in waters far beyond his sight A form of kinship manifests itself toward these two The want of objects coveted familiar to my heart Of dear affection vacant still--a poverty to rue! I join my searching fellows in the promise of their art How far cast I! how thin my line! how feeble sits my faith! My hook is blunt; the nymph slips off; I fumble with the reel This line will nothing master save an insubstantial wraith Should heart's companion come, 'twill be but of her own free will Thy will be done, then, God and who may chance to come my way Resolved thus, I resign from trying this enchanted pool Content with present blessing, looking forward to the day When love rewards the man who would not play the bitter fool David DeBoe