O best of all nights

[pjthompson]

O Best of All Nights, Return and Return Again

How she let her long hair down over her shoulders, making a love
  cave around her face. Return and return again.
How when the lamplight was lowered she pressed against him,
  twining her fingers in his. Return and return again.
How their legs swam together like dolphins and their toes played
  like little tunnies. Return and return again.
How she sat beside him cross-legged, telling him stories of her
  childhood. Return and return again.
How she closed her eyes when his were open, how they breathed
  together, breathing each other. Return and return again.
How they fell into slumber, their bodies curled together like
  two spoons. Return and return again.
How they went together to Otherwhere, the fairest land they had
  ever seen. Return and return again.
O best of all nights, return and return again.

(After the Pervigilium Veneris and Propertius's "Nox Mihi Candia")

—James Laughlin