Moon in a blithe night sky br Glows coolly at herself out of water br Shimmers in a rock pool in a grove. br Lunar stillness holds the leaves br And another being: mild br Between moon and moon shine silver horns br Over a thicket of hair - br Indigo, copper, spiky, gold - br And two drinking eyes. br Is it a stag of the forest? br But the eyes are violet, are green br Above a human nose br Above parted cherry lips, br Sheltering shadows pearled by the light, br Thighs furred and sinewy, br Buttocks and tender feet pale on the grassy rise. br One hand rests by the pool br Where crystal glitters. br The Guardian of the Wood br Is scrying. Two more moons br Play in his downcast eyes: br Moon binds sky, basin and serene head. br Dark noises pile silence br Into a green-blue veil br Waiting with Him for what the water will show. br A little breath scythes, br Shivers the crescent in the pool. br Soft lips almost curl. br Sweet susurration of br Milky leaves: night’s voice. br In the crook of his arm leans br A staff of birch, hung with bright bands, br Strung with flights of foliage. br Fingers play lightly br On its cool curves. br Another breeze flutters the tendrils br Around his gentle neck. br Spirals and eyes, carved on the rock, flare. br Kit’s Time. Bewitchment. He smiles, br Voluptuous, imperturbable. Quiet might. br br Vision comes br Owl hoots. br Fox barks. br Serious delight br Settles as a mist. br br Guardian- br Guard us. br br January 2004.