June Death

Mater simplissima

Stands at the evening gate,

Calling her children home

Into the stony places.

Hapless they wait,

Mute, with rebellious faces.

Unyielding voice,

Like stone, made audible,

Unyielding eyes,

Must these lay down for you

Impetuous summer as a sacrifice?

Must living be a song they never knew?

Mother most simple

Who, being nothing, made them nothing too.

Flower on the bending stalk,

Bird with despairing note,

Defiant worldling, come!

Turning, they see

In the last breathless hour, the ruby-throat

Raping his hollyhock.