Viaticum for the Marquise  

In my dreams, I hold her still,  
Angel, lover, Mother.  
And in my dreams, I kiss her lips,  
Mistress, Muse, Daughter.  

She gave me life  
I gave her death  
My beautiful Marquise.  

And on the Devil's Road we walked  
Two orphans then together.  

And does she hear my hymns tonight  
of  Kings and Queens and Ancient truths?  
Of broken vows and sorrow?  

Or does she climb some distant path  
where rhyme and song can't find her?  

Come back to me, my Gabrielle  
My beautiful Marquise.  
The castle's ruined on the hill  
The village lost beneath the snow  
But you are mine forever.