IV + 

My second spring⁠— + 

passed in a monastery + 

with plaster walls⁠—in Fiesole + 

on the hill above Florence. + 

My second spring⁠—painted + 

a virgin⁠—in a blue aureole + 

sitting on a three-legged stool, + 

arms crossed⁠— + 

she is intently serious, + 

and still + 

watching an angel + 

with colored wings + 

half kneeling before her⁠— + 

and smiling⁠—the angel’s eyes + 

holding the eyes of Mary + 

as a snake’s holds a bird’s. + 

On the ground there are flowers, + 

trees are in leaf. + 