Written in late 1973, this poem was one of a handful of that period, dedicated to his totem-muse Psyche, that includes Monument and My Electric Lady and are noteworthy in discussions of his early work. The theme of the poem is the willful loss of innocence.
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Please come awhile, remain and play.
The unicorns won't come today.
The faeries and their virtued kin
shall stay away, to paint my sin.
with ancient red and angry fire.
Please come to me and linger, please.
I do not mock, I dare not tease.
Just bring with you an honest smile
and share with me, for all the while,
a love of life and true desire.
The unicorns no longer guard
the meadow just beyond my yard.
They snort with shame and true disdain
upon a hope of ages' pain
and brand me, by their pride, a liar.
William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.