The kindness of the lady.

When moonlight kisses my shadowy sleep,

And night begins her weaving,

My lost soul will seek and my eyes will weep,

With my cold hands clasped in prayer,

And my desolate heart open to care,

For the dawn beyond grieving.

 

Beware the stony path of charity,

It will cut and scar the fist,

So swim strongly against the dusky sea,

Avoid the beckoning rock,

Abandon the alluring cliffs that mock,

Drown in the exquisite mist.

 

There is always a harsh drowning at dawn,

The old darkness fades away,

And is replaced by a pristine orphan,

A new child facing the sea,

A summoning bittered by misery,

And a ghost that haunts the day.

 

Winter chills will catch you crying with fright,

Winds will follow you closely,

You must lay near to the fire tonight,

For soon there will be a death,

The final gasp of the prisoner’s breath,

And the cell will be empty.

 

And once your earth-bound soul has learned to fly,

Beyond mortal suffering,

Stay for a moment in the sapphire sky,

Hear a gentle lady sing,

Watch a view as clear as water falling,

Of the kindness as easy as whispering.