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
Alice
O. Howell