October Song

            The prince speaks

Let me lower the curtains, my love
   Our last night together is brief
Let me straighten our wedding quilt
   And warm it for you, my love

Let me fold your nightgown, my love
   Let me unfasten your hair
Let me lift the veil from your face
   To see my bride’s last cry

Heaven is our starry canopy, my love
    Earth is our eternal bed
Let us drift in our cold black railroad car
   And wake to empire again

From Hard Love Province. Copyright © 2015 by Marilyn Chin. Used with the permission of the author.