Miyoko San
Snare me the soul of a dragon-fly,
The jewelled heart of a dew-tipped spray,
A star’s quick eye,
Or the scarlet cry
Of a lonely wing on a dawn-lit bay.
Then add the gleam of a golden fan,
And I will paint you Miyoko San.
Find me the thought of a rose, at sight
Of her own pale face in a fawning stream,
The polished night
Of a crow’s slow flight,
And the long, sweet grace of a willow’s dream.
Then add the droop of a golden fan,
And I will paint you Miyoko San.
Lure me a lay from a sunbeam’s throat,
The chant of bees in a perfumed lair,
Or a single note
Gone mad to float
To its own sweet death in the upper air.
Then add the click of a golden fan,
And I have painted Miyoko San.