SILK FLOWERS (for Dante)

gold. The slipp’ry verge

His conscious tail his joy Two

purred applause Betrayed

the snowy beard, stretched

one false step Demurest vies

What whisker heart gleam

velvet lake below.

Malignant Fate with looks in-

tent with caution bold

A glisters first your

undeceived, And heedless hearts

vain angel forms tide

ardent hapless tor-

toise coat His ears of male

hapless glut declared;

Eight times he tumbled

to fish? a lofty tabby

pensive Gazed Nor cruel

angel ne’er retrieved

his Presumptuous coat seen

richest purple tide

Where China’s gayest

cat’s averse to watry god,

he stretched, emerging