A poetic romance of white cherries, golden saffron, vanilla orchid, neroli blossoms, nutmeg, coriander, cedarwood, guaiac wood, and ambergris incense.   And before her quiet face he burned soft incense,  And brought her every day  Boughs of the peach, or almond, or snow-white cherry,  And somehow, she seemed to say,

That silent lady, young, and quietly smiling,  That she was happy there;  And sometimes, seeing this, he started to tremble,  And desired to touch her hair,

To lay his palm along her hand, touch faintly  With delicate finger-tips  The ghostly smile that seemed to hover and vanish  Upon her lips .

- Conrad Aiken

Art: The Birthday, 1887 by Marc Chagall