Under Winter's Naked Branch

by Jude

Under the moon/on a winter night so cold
I, a demon/of the north wind, stumble/
upon this orchard/ Your moonlit visage/
A flush from cold on your cheek/from the cold I bring;/
It shines against the grey trees/and white ground/

I don't wish to startle you/but... i reach to you/
I wish to put my arms 'round you/ but you back away
I graze my hand along your cheek/glazing it white/
white with frost./ All my eternity, I've seen nothing/
'Twixt heaven and earth/so lovely, so wonderful as you/

So lonely, i am/ In my labors/
Can i have you, i wonder/ You calm a bit, thankfully/
"Don't fear me young one/ Come with me," I say," And we shall never be lonely."
And under my spell you fall/ Around you my arms embrace/
I lean down to you/ Our lips meet/
So warm.../then suddenly so cold...

A sepulchral visage/ is all that's left./ Cold clay that once the gods/
did form. And your soul is lifted/
And i stand.../alone...

Under winter's naked branch