Liberties

To my friend Kegham Parseghian With what intoxication! The trees, in the light, Trees in the wind and the rain, Shaggy-tressed trees, trees that to the heavens strain, And saplings green, as sea waves Collapsing to the bosom of the corn strewn, Dazed, all drink of the swelling sunburst of life. With what intoxication! The grass above the soil rising Opens to the light, amazed, For the moment of its life the dewdrops that are its eyes. With what intoxication! Flowers in the dew, Flowers in the light, accustomed to the hand, Swoon in their expectation. With what intoxication! Every field and hill upon green brow Bind the flowers’ multicolored wedding band.  With what intoxication! From the lovely plains And his bride, the dale, the red foot stork Returning home imbibes his longing’s satiation. With what intoxication! Blackbirds Drink the light and whisper it, alert, In orchards’ leafy fastnesses. With what intoxication! Snow-white jays afloat On high seem to swim as they perambulate upon the sky, Taking wing, gilded on the glowing firmament. With what intoxication! The turtledove her nuptial Bed arranges in the shady cover of a tree And waits for her husband in expectant passion. With what intoxication! The butterfly unfolds upon The tiny sparkling lakelet of its leaf And with its milky wings constructs its canopy. With what intoxication! On the purple plain To scarlet flowers hies the bee,  To suck upon the little female nipples, luxuriating. With what intoxication! The seas are blue; River waters, abundant; springs, brimming; The rill, swiftly purling; lakes, azure — The rill, his locks green-fronded, tossing, Passes intimate among the willows, blue as the moon. With what intoxication! Clouds shake their heads, The wondrous liquid massing in their breasts; Which like a snaking thread descends To slake the hot gold thirst