The mirrored stars of Tangier

It was the darkest hour before the dawn,The orange-scented air was strangely sweetAnd stars flashed brilliantly beneath our feet,Reflected in the level sands, that layLonely and mirror-like, around the Bay.

Lightly we walked on those reflected stars,Gleaming among the drift and tangled sparsLeft by the waves upon that lucent lawnWhose flowers were planets.

Whose flowers were planets. Then ourselves we flungDown on the soft, wet sand, and all the skies,Where countless, jewelled constellations hung.Lay near and lovely to our wistful eyes.

Upon one silver star my lips were pressed;A vivid gem, than shone in Cassiopea,No longer far away, and unpossessed,But close beneath me, tremulously clear.

And I, who love a thing remote and far,Drew courage from that sand-encircled star.For, as my lips caressed its silver fire,So might my arms embrace my Heart's Desire.