Lucille in the Garden

I

With self-deprecating tone

As some ancestor of mirth

Irony in a woman's voice

Has no origin or birth

Some origin or birth in time

Intended her for standing there

In gardens by the golden sea

To redeem the green-gold air

Redeem the green-gold air whose song

Quarrels with the bright beast's birds

Feather-hidden eyes and long

Proud red-footed walks and words

Walks and words have tired her

Colored birds and children call

Happy as Epicurus walking

Round within a garden wall

i

Round within a garden wall

Rings the bestial garden birth

Tiger trapped by enemies

Of no origin or mirth

Origin and mirth have soiled

Once the plumage of the air

Both the birds and girl have been

Hampered before standing there

Before standing there in light

Sponsored by the sea's slow words

Fire is ice and irony

Colorless as steps of birds

Steps of birds will someday track

Sea marks from beyond the wall

What is the green beast singing now

But some transient sea-bird call?