The Taste of the Snows — To Aphrodite... in the Storm

And he drew me to his heart, saying:
"Do not fear the storm, and do not dread the snows;
I shall not lose the way..
Our house — its light gleams on the far horizon,
and at the window your radiant face looks out.
I shall return..
Yes, I shall return and stand at your side in the storm,
laughing aloud with the winds, while the whiteness of the snows lights the darkness of the heart,
and our dawn breaks forth like the morning..

★

Do not fear the storm, and do not dread the snows..
This is the time of visitation, my beloved..
In the bins of the house are figs and raisins in plenty, and almonds,
and in our crocks — do you remember? — an old wine that blazes,
and the fires of my longing flare forever, wrapping you in the warmth of my tenderness.
So be of good heart and rest content... I shall not lose the way.
I shall return...

★

Yes, I shall return as I went, with the storm..
I shall return, and into your arms I shall pour the tears of the shepherd girl the storm drove away,
and the dreams of the bud the storm split open..
and the outpourings of the spring the storm burst forth,
and the taste of every patch of the snows the storm has sown.
I shall not lose the way..
Our house — its light gleams.. and at the window your radiant face.. Watch for my return..."
And the ring fell from my finger, as I stared into the far horizon, .. and I heard from it
a ringing louder than the clamor of the storm... Yes, he will return!!