Snow Queen
I'll make you a corsage
Of Chantilly lace
Comfrey and eyebright
And reeds from the lake
And tie it with cambric
Before you awake
Upon your heart sleeping
This precious keepsake
From here the land's edge
Is a scrawl on the sea
It writes and unwrites itself
Tirelessly
And I, in the eaves
On my eiderdown seat
See riddles and rhymes
Where your words ought to be
And the green-fingered lady
Who longed, longed me to stay
Made all the roses wither away
And smoke, lilac footed
As I climbed, climbed the gate
And reams of clouds hid me
As I made my escape
It was autumn, autumn
How long did I sleep?
The moon-coloured waters
They whispered your name
And said with her carriage
The deep snows came
And she kissed you and bound you
With icicle chains
Made winter your lodge
And gave frost to your veins
From here the land lies
Like a mast on the sea
It rises and banks
And it confuses me
And I, in the eaves
On my eiderdown seat
See riddles and rhymes
Where your words ought to be
The ice-shouldered Queen
Who vowed, vowed you'd remain
Made all the roses
Wither in spring
And from the snow palace
I'll steal you away
And my tears will make
Your poor heart bloom again
Like roses