THE ELVES

Elves are no smaller

than men, and walk

as men do, in this world,

but with more grace than most,

and are not immortal.

Their beauty sets them aside

from other men and from women

unless a woman has that cold fire in her

called poet: with that

she may see them and by its light

they know her and are not afraid

and silver tongues of love

flicker between them.