Ephemera (Buck)/The Gifts

by Mitchell Starrett Buck

THE GIFTS

I have given thee a saffron vestment rich with gold, a circlet heavy with rubies for thine arm, a gleaming sapphire for thy brow—and thou hast smiled upon me.

I have given thee a necklace of rosy pearls to hang about thy neck, sandals of gilded leather for thy slender feet, rare oils and heavy perfumes—and thou hast loved me.

Thou hast given me thyself and all thy love: mad, scarlet nights, mornings of pale delight and languorous noondays—and thou hast been my slave.

Yet, if I had not crowned thee with jewels; if I had not set thy path aflame with rubies, no less I would have loved thee. And yet . . . and yet, I think, thou never wouldst have known . . .