Untitled #14

in the damp places
near the well
I search for horsetail - so my hair
would be light and shiny
as silk
I crumble oak bark
cut up the roots of sweet-flag
and burdock
gather cones of hops
birch leaves
spread out and dry chamomile
in the dark
rinse with stinging nettles
so my hair
would be long and soft
when you see me sitting by the window
combing it with a comb of bone
so my braids
would bind your feet
at night
I bathe in the quiet
forest lake
in moonlight
spread my linens on the grass
secretly
brew you something to drink
from grasses gathered on St. John's night
from roots
from the waters of the well of life
from magic
o grasses of sleep, bitterly sweet
grasses
of oblivion