"One by gentle one" [rubai]

One by gentle one the world is peopled
one by gentle one are churches steepled
the Milky Way exhibits myriad droplets
one by gentle one from Night dark-nippled



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The repeating phrase is borrowed from Ratna Rajaiah's "Flowers Underfoot"



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Day by sorry day the week continued
drop by tiny drop the cup was filled
table by charming table the place was menued
degree by cold degree the winter chilled

leaf by amber leaf the autumn mellowed
dream by vapid dream the sleeper slept
page by ancient page the diary yellowed
tear by lucent tear the heavens wept

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(a further riff on the "one by gentle one" phrasing)