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

gershon hepner

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/villanelle-of-villanelles/