For as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride,
so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
Isaiah 62:5

As long as I can remember
I have been building these walls,
of jade, moonlight, and marble,
a web of stones closing around my palace:
an infinite labyrinth of monotonous galleries,
concave domes, purple curtains, and ebony floors.

How was I to know that a single one of your touches
would turn my walls to dust?

You came running down from green hills.
With baskets full of lilies and laughter
you ravaged my towers, my labyrinth, my palace…

My love for you woman became the sweet nectar
distilled by summer from the ripe peaches of your lips,
and your neck of roses.

One day, you sailed away without farewell.

I searched for you,
scouring fields, hills, and shores…

Since then, year by year, brick by brick,
I have rebuilt the walls, the towers,
the infinite labyrinth—
awaiting you
to destroy them anew.