Villanelle Of Villanelles Poem by gershon hepner

VILLANELLE OF VILLANELLES

Your love is surely better than strong wine,
The scent of fragrant perfume is your name,
With kisses of your loving mouth come kiss me.

I am black and comely, I am thine,
My brothers claim that I am lacking shame;
When I'm absent from you, do you miss me?

Rows of regal jewels your neck entwine,
Frankincense provides your breasts a fragrant frame;
With kisses of your loving mouth come kiss me.

Cedars beams are in our humble shrine,
Huge cypresses provide the walls a frame,
When I'm absent from you, do you miss me?

With apples and with raisin cakes let's dine,
Gazelles and hinds run with the other game;
With kisses of your loving mouth come kiss me.

Place me on your heart, a loving sign.
Seal me on your heart with Yahweh's flame,
But though I burn I need no anodyne;
With kisses of your loving mouth come kiss me.

4/1/04,7/6/12 #3403