Sleeping Beauty

just a fairy tale princess, or is she?

She waits inside the frozen place

While the world is turning, turning

Waits for the benison of grace

Deaf to its yearning.

She waits through blossom’s bloom and fall

Leaf drop and the brown fruits’ drying;

Through winters like a world in thrall,

But the heart keeps crying.

She waits while stars in heaven spin

And the circling earth grows blinder;

She waits, but still cannot name him:

The one who’ll find her.

She waits, and thorns grow sharply round

Her heart, so benumbed and hidden,

His kiss is still a rumoured sound

Its time forbidden.

She waits. She waits for her true king,

Enchanted till his returning,

The world does not know anything

All undiscerning.

She waits, but he is coming soon,

He will lift her from her slumber

To a place more fair than sun or moon,

Past night’s encumber.

She waits, forgotten and alone,

But then the whole world beholding,

Sees her great beauty, not her own,

His love’s unfolding.