Thursday, November 19, 2009

THE SOUL TO KEEP

THE SOUL TO KEEP

In a green glade
wherein the deepest pool,
I have carved a cedar box
and lined it well with pearl.
I have cast it all around
with silver fleur de lys
and made a latch from finest gold,
then laced it through with dream.
In it I have kept
the song of the meadowlark,
the call of the nightingale,
and crystal mirrored tears
from the breast of the mourning dove.
All the jewels of heaven
on tufts of velvet green...
the starflung wonder
of red satin summer,
the whisper of autumn leaves
in the splendid melon sun,
the silken petal saved
through silent sifting snow...
And the sweet chalice of spring.
Whoever shall find this store,
I have hidden the key
in the roots of the willow tree
that bends to trace the door.

--Barbara Smith Stoff

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