A Parisian Roof Garden in 1918

Natalie Clifford Barney

As I must mount to feed those doves of ours,
Perhaps you too will spend nocturnal hours
⁠⁠⁠Upon your roof
⁠⁠⁠So high aloof
That from its terraced bowers
We catch at clouds and draw a bath from showers.
Before the moon has made all pale the night,
Let’s meet with flute and viol, and supper light:
A yew lamb, minted sauce, a raisined bun,
A melon riper than the melting sun—
A flask of Xeres, that we’ve scarce begun—
We’ll try the lunar waltz while floats afar
Upon the liquid night—night’s nenuphar.
Or else, with senses tuned alike perchance,
Reclining love will make the heavens dance;
And if the enemy from aerial cars
Drops death, we’ll share it vibrant with the stars!