lady weeping at the crossroads

lady

weeping at the crossroads

would you meet your love

in the twilight with his greyhounds

and the hawk on his glove?

bribe the birds then on the branches

bribe them to be dumb

stare the hot sun out of heaven

that the night may come

starless are the nights of travel

bleak the winter wind

run with terror all before you

and regret behind

run until you hear the ocean's

everlasting cry

deep though it may be and bitter

you must drink it dry

wear out patience in the lowest

dungeons of the sea

searching through the stranded shipwrecks

for the golden key

push into the world's end

pay the

dread guard with a kiss

cross the rotten bridge that totters

over the abyss

there stands the deserted castle

ready to explore

enter

climb the marble staircase

open the locked door

cross the silent empty ballroom

doubt and danger past

blow the cobwebs from the mirror

see yourself at last

put your hand behind the wainscot

you have done your part

find the penknife there and plunge it

into your false heart