Lady, weeping at the crossroads {7}

"angeles forest," painting by Kris Lewis

There stands the deserted castle
Ready to explore;
Enter, climb the marble staircase,
Open the locked door.

~WH Auden
from "Lady, weeping at the crossroads"

Lady, weeping at the crossroads {6}

"feathers," painting by Kris Lewis

Push on to the world's end, pay the
Dread guard with a kiss,
Cross the rotten bridge that totters
Over the abyss.

~WH Auden
from "Lady, weeping at the crossroads"

Lady, weeping at the crossroads {5}

"lake," painting by Kris Lewis

Wear out patience in the lowest
Dungeons of the sea,
Searching through the stranded shipwrecks
For the golden key.

WH Auden
from "Lady, weeping at the crossroads"

Lady, weeping at the crossroads {4}

"fighting the tides," painting by Kris Lewis

Run until you hear the ocean's
Everlasting cry;
Deep though it may be and bitter
You must drink it dry.

WH Auden
from "Lady, weeping at the crossroads"

Lady, weeping at the crossroads {3}

"winterlast," painting by Kris Lewis

Starless are the nights of travel,
Bleak the winter wind;
Run with terror all before you
And regret behind.

WH Auden
from "Lady, weeping at the crossroads"

Lady, weeping at the crossroads {2}

"lifeboat," painting by Kris Lewis

Bribe the birds then on the branches,
Bribe them to be dumb,
Stare the hot sun out of heaven
That the night may come.

WH Auden
from "Lady, weeping at the crossroads"

Lady, weeping at the crossroads {1}

"rose," painting by Kris Lewis

Lady, weeping at the crossroads,
Would you meet your love
In the twilight with his greyhounds,
And the hawk on his glove?

by WH Auden
from "Lady, weeping at the crossroads"