The Nepean

Far down the reach a creeping mist     Hung dim along the mountain side;     On shadowed water, sleek and whist,     I let the lazy shallop glide.     The ripple scarcely cut the green     That edged the central path of grey.     I drew the oars, and, all unseen,     Gave reverent greeting to the day.     Naked I stood with arms outspread     That opened wide the gates of dream;     Then breathless bent my wondering head     And sprang to meet the silent stream.     I slid and floated like a seal,     And bade my senses revel free,     From cheek to footsole I could feel     Her soft cool hands caressing me.     A noise of tiny wavelets woke,     I quenched my drouth with delicate sips,     And, as I drank, the surface broke     In eager kisses on my lips.     The scented breath of morning turned     To incense as toward the west     At last, rock-altard, I discerned     The sunshine on the mountain crest.     That light of blessing from the sky     Made us the fuel of its blaze,     And fragrant bush and stream and I     Were one aspiring cry of praise.