Would you catch a hawk in a cunning net,
-- Hold her and tame her --
-- Blindfold her, train her
To seek your hand without regret?

Would you clip her wings to prevent her rising
Higher, wider -- spiral tangents flying?

Better to watch the wild hawk winging
-- Feathers bright flashing --
-- Glinting eyes glancing --
Free and filled with swift winds singing.

Would you bind the wind with bright-woven song,
-- Channel, confuse her --
-- Shape her and woo her --
To echo your thoughts and make them strong?

Would you baffle her voice so all must hear
What you wish she'd say while you stand near?

Better to listen as she whispers through trees
-- Hushes to silence --
-- Gusts in swift violence --
Graceful sails through, a night-born breeze.

Would you kindle a flare to disrobe the night,
-- Secrecy banishing --
-- Mystery vanishing --
Consumed by the flames that reveal her to sight?

Would you see night's face in a noontime glare
Unveiled not by choice, disheveled though fair?

Better to walk in a well-tended maze,
-- Strangely delighted --
-- Fully benighted --
Living with mystery in manifold ways.

No matter what calls her, words dark or bright,
This hawk must fly on the winds of the night.
Love dare not constrain her,
-- Restrain her or hold her --
And only by thoughtfulness
-- Gently enfold her. --