Moon in Virgo

[Guest guest]

The Moon in Virgo

A stillness, a clarity

a light in my chamber,

whiffs of lavender, space, and rue

of all the ancillary ladies from my childhood

back through New England to the Vestal Virgins

to a constant intact concern

with chaste white woven ribbons

(one hidden of scarlet jaquard!),

the ladder of crimping

buttons of pearl, and a demanding gentleness,

no! – respect - for any anybody’s right,

even under a shroud of napery,

to claim absolutely nothing.

a.o.howell