verbena

pillars of salt from the tears of Juno

encircled in iron before dawn’s show,

dissolve in the morning dew.

one sweep of verbena

and lustral waters purify the minds of few,

orbit of delicate perfumery.

blazing scorcher dog star Æshere

no sun, no moon, barks Sirius.

enchantment, bane of sensibility, 

verb lemon and blue, 

herb of the cross, herb of grace,

active aromatic twigs of sweet words

cascade from the vervain vase.