White Advent

Winter is a vigil all men keep

In long and patient fortitude

Who spurn a cold untroubled sleep,

The host of snow their only food.

The stormy dream, the burning ache

Of love and love's demanding arms

Can rouse no lust in these who make

Provision for the spring's alarms.

They know the summer's threat of pain

And autumn's surly sickle bent

Above the windrows. Free of stain

Are tongues that taste this sacrament.

The drums will challenge innocence

And strike the shield of pride apart,

But now an armor for the sense

Is forged, and wisdom for the heart.

Until the crystal trees are struck

By swords of sunlight, lips are proud.

The mouth is virgin till the rock

Surrenders freshets to the cloud.