The night is still, the moon looks kind,
    The dew hangs jewels in the heath,
An ivy climbs across thy blind,
    And throws a light and misty wreath.

The dew hangs jewels in the heath,
    Buds bloom for which the bee has pined;
I haste along, I quicker breathe,
    The night is still, the moon looks kind.

Buds bloom for which the bee has pined,
    The primrose slips its jealous sheath,
As up the flower-watched path I wind
    And come thy window-ledge beneath.

The primrose slips its jealous sheath,—
    Then open wide that churlish blind,
And kiss me through the ivy wreath!
    The night is still, the moon looks kind.

Beyond the rich imagery, there is somthing else noticable about this poem. The lines repeat themselves ever so subtly. This is not a mistake. No, this is art and Thomas reveals her ability to render a lovely villanelle where the first and third lines repeat themselves. Villanelles are tricky, since the poet must repeat the lines to meet the form’s requirements; however, the artist must weave in these lines so they are not obvious.

image: Maryhere/Morguefil