A girl of air accosted me
Acursed for your sin
You have not lived
And bear the taint of black dust on your skin
Black dust swirls around my feet
I asked what this betoke
Fear goes with you every day
Since when your spirit broke
Thou art sullied with the dust
Of mortal pain and shame
Thy hearts blood is held fast
And frozen is thy brain
She slapped my face to wakefulness
said "only free thyself"
Tainted yes, but still can be
Returned to robust health
Wash yourself here in the rill
And cleanse yourself of crimes
Forget the thoughts that made you ill
Speak only joyful rhymes
Rinse the dust from off your chin
And learn to hunt for berries
Form your teeth into a grin
and eat the ripest cherries
Thus she spoke and listened I
Or thought I may have done
It may have been the breezes sigh
And bright summer sun
