Foiled Sleep

by Marie-Madeleine

Ah me! I cannot sleep at night;
     And when I shut my eyes, forsooth,
I cannot banish from my sight
     The vision of her slender youth.

She stands before me lover-wise,
     Her naked beauty fair and slim,
She smiles upon me, and her eyes
     With over fierce desire grow dim.

Slowly she leans to me. I meet
     The passion of her gaze anew,
And then her laughter, clear and sweet,
     Thrills all the hollow silence through.

O, siren, with the mocking tongue!
     O beauty, lily-sweet and white!
I see her, slim and fair and young.
     And ah! I cannot sleep tonight.