Circe

Hymen (1921)

It was easy enoughto bend them to my wish,it was easy enoughto alter them with a touch,but youadrift on the great sea,how shall I call you back?

Cedar and white ash,rock-cedar and sand plantsand tamariskred cedar and white cedarand black cedar from the inmost forest,fragrance upon fragranceand all of my sea-magic is for nought.

It was easy enoughÐa thought called themfrom the sharp edges of the earth;they prayed for a touch,they cried for the sight of my face,they entreated metill in pityI turned each to his own self.

Panther and panther,then a black leopardfollows closeÐblack panther and redand a great hound,a god-like beast,cut the sand in a clear ringand shut me from the earth,and cover the sea-soundwith their throats,and the sea-roar with their own barksand bellowing and snarls,and the sea-starsand the swirl of the sand,and the rock-tamariskand the wind resonanceÐbut not your voice.

It is easy enough to call menfrom the edges of the earth.It is easy enough to summon them to my feetwith a thoughtÐit is beautiful to see the tall pantherand the sleek deer-houndscircle in the dark.It is easy enoughto make cedar and white ash fumesinto palacesand to cover the sea-caveswith ivory and onyx.

But I would give uprock-fringes of coraland the inmost chamberof my island palaceand my own giftsand the whole regionof my power and magicfor your glance.

from Hymen (1921)