Winter Advice

[lnhammer]

—for Greer Gilman

When gall the spirits still
    from tender love plucked strait,
your crack-mazed cup completely fill
    for one taste sweetens fate.

When honey they draw out
    from air and darkness whole,
accept their pot with its cracked spout--
    it sours the bitter soul.

But pot and cup take one
    and never surfeit more--
that aftertaste of liquor gone
    must last till hair is hoar.

—15-17 June 2009

Context is here. I am Not Yet Happy with the syntax of the third stanza -- and it's that which keeps it from really working as sub-Housman. I may need to strip it out and write a new version from scratch.

---L.