Perpetual Light

PerpetualLight

WilliamRoseBenet

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOREWORD

BEFORE

THESNAREOFTHEFOWLER

THWARTEDUTTERANCE

THESONGOFHER

“ALWAYSIKNOWYOUANEW”

THERIVALCELESTIAL

THETAMEROFSTEEDS

LOVEINARMOR

WARDROBEOFREMEMBRANCE

THESECONDCOVENANT

DEDICATIONTOAFIRSTBOOK

THESHADOWEDROAD

LOVEINTHEDAWN

“HADIACLAIMTOFAME?”

THEONE

DREAMANDDEED

ATAPEROFINCENSE

TOPURITY

TOPURITY

ATONEMENT

THEADORATION

TALISMAN

RECOGNITION

TRIBUTE

THESILVERHIND

ARISTEASRELATESHISYOUTH

MANPOSSESSED

MINIATURE

DEATHWILLMAKECLEAR

SUNLIGHT

ANDALONGWAYOFFHESAWFAIRYLAND

INTIMEOFTROUBLE

ANOMALY

THELOVER

JUDGMENT

UNFORGOTTEN

THEPALEDANCER

PREMONITION

AFTER

(IntroductoryPoem)

THELONGABSENCE

BYTHECOUNSELOFHERHANDS

STRENGTHBEYONDSTRENGTH

QUESAIS-JE?

EBB-TIDE

COWARD

AQUILIFER

THEWOMAN

PERVIGILIUM

TIMEWAS

THEMASTERS

WHEN

THERETREAT

SEALED

ProducedbySkipDoughty,CharlesFranks

andtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeam.

PERPETUALLIGHT

“Ah,donotturntomethatfacewhichisnolonger

ofthisworld!…Thereareenoughangelsto

servethemassinHeaven!Havepityonme,who

amonlyamanwithoutwings,whorejoicedinthis

companionGodhadgivenme,andthatIshould

hearhersighwithherheadrestingonmyshoulder!…

thebitternesslikethebitternessof

myrrh…Andforyouageisalreadycome.

Buthowharditistorenouncewhentheheartis

young!”

“THETIDINGSBROUGHTTOMARY”

PERPETUAL

LIGHT

AMemorial.

BY

WILLIAMROSEBENÉT

..thatwemaybeabletoarrive

withpuremindsatthefestival

ofperpetuallight.Throughthe

sameChristourLord.Amen.

—Oremus.

DEDICATION

TOKATHLEENANDMARGARET

Thinkofnoversewhenyoureadthis,

Butthinkofheralone

Andherenduringbenefice,

Sunlightonstone.

Fordayisstoneandnightisstone

Saveshehasmadethembright,

Nowsheknowsallthatmaybeknown

Ofdayandnight.

Couragelikeherswehavefromher,

Strengthtobestraightandbrave,

Andnoblememoriesthatrecur

Andhealandsave.

Byhercleareyes,byherpurebrows,

WetaketheSign,

AndkneelwithinherFather’shouse—

Andyoursandmine.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thefirstelevenpoemsinthesectionentitled,“Before”originally

appearedinmyfirstvolume,“MerchantsfromCathay”publishedbythe

CenturyCompany.ThisvolumeisnowoutofprintandIholdthe

copyright.Thethreepoemsfollowingtheseoriginallyappearedinmy

secondvolume,“TheFalconerofGodandOtherPoems.”Forpermission

toreprintafewoftheremainingpoemsIhavetothanktheeditorsof

Reedy’sMirror,TheBang,TheLyric,TheMadrigal,TheSunDial

(NewYorkEveningSun),Everybody’sMagazine,TheCentury

Magazine,and“BooksandtheBookWorld”(NewYorkSundaySun).

Forthegroup,“TheLongAbsence”inthesectionentitled,“After,”I

owethankstoTheYaleReview.

FOREWORD

TERESAFRANCESTHOMPSON,whoalsoboremynamebymarriage,diedon

January26,1919.Thisverseispublishedtohermemory,becauseI

wishtokeeptogetherthepoetrysheoccasionedandenablethosewho

lovedher—andtheywereagreatmany-toknowdefinitelywhatshewas

tome.

Ithinkthatisthetruth.ThisistheonlymeansIhaveatpresentof

acknowledgingpubliclythevastdebtIowetoher.

AsIturnthesepoemsover—iftheyareeventobecalledpoems—I

realizethattheycanneverbegintoexpresswhatherpersonalitywas.

Theearliestoneswerewrittenbyaboywhowasinlove,andthe

latestbyamanwhohassuddenlysteppedintothedark.Thosebetween

arefragmentsfromthedayswhenwewerestrugglingalongtogetherat

theeverydaytasksandoutsideinterestsanddreamsthatpossessedus.

ThewarenteredourlivestochangetheminSeptember,1917.Thepoem,

“ManPossessed,”waswrittenwithinsoundofheractualvoice,the

othersallinabsencefromheratvarioustimesandinmoodsmade

strangebyabsence.

AndyetthisisallIhaveatpresenttogiveinhermemory.ButI

holdbythesebecause—thoughtheyarepoor,freakishfragmentsasfar

asanyrealexpressionofherisconcerned—theyweremadeforher.

Itisevenhardertoexpressinbaldproseapersonalitythathadso

manysides,somanyvaryingstrengths,suchinnersightandyetsucha

forthrightsplendidintelligence.Ihavetriedoncetorounditinto

periods—andhavedestroyedtheattempt.Itismyhopethatthesister

towhomshewasdevotedwithanattachmentaltogetherunusualtomost

ofuswillwriteofher.

IfImerelyrecounttheoutlinesofherlife,itlosesher.Tosay

thathergirlhoodwasgivenuptoanintenseandwhole-souleddevotion

tothelifeofChristastaughtbytheRomanCatholicChurchwillnot

eventracetheoutlinesofthatgreatspiritualadventure.Butthere,

intheword“adventure,”isadimideographofwhatshefoundinlife.

Everydaywasanadventuretoherwiththehopeofaccomplishing

somethingoverandabovemereroutineandthepursuitofpleasure.And

sheusedtosaytomethatherlifehadsimplybeenaseriesof

experimentsintowhichshehadputherwholeheart,andinwhichshe

hadalwaysfailed.But,ofcourse,sheneverfailed.

ShewrotemewhileIwasstationedatWashington:

“IamsoverygladofyourSundayexperience.IwishthatImighthave

shareditwithyou,butIalmostdid,sincewewereatMassthereand

walkedacrossthatgreentogether….Nooneelsemightbeimpressed

byit,butyouknow.WhenIfirstthoughtofaconventIwas

aboutsixteen,andIdidnotgountilIwastwenty-one.Duringthat

timeIhadthehabitofpretendingwhenIwenttosleepthatIwas

lyingfull-lengthinaconventchapelbeforeadarkaltar,withits

tinylight.WhenIwenttotheLittleSisters,withallits

strangenessandhomesicknessandwrenchawayfromeverything,Iwas

sustainedbytheknowledgethatourbedroomonthethirdfloorwas

acrossawidehallfromarosewindowthatlookedrightdownintothe

Chapel.Thedormitoryhadwindowsoutintothehall,Frenchfashion,

sothatwhenIopenedtheoneattheheadofmybedIwasdoingjust

whatIhadsooftenplanned.Youcannotimaginehowpersonalitseemed

tome.

“ThenyearsafterwhenIwasintheCarmeliteconventinLondon,it

begantosnow.Istoodatawindowlookingoutatthesnowuponthe

roofs,andbegantothink(asyouwouldhaveinmyplace),“Deeponthe

conventroofsthesnowsaresparklingtothemoon,”—andsuddenlyI

realizedthatitwasSt.AgnesEve,andthatlongago,whenIwas

perhapsfifteenorsixteen,IhadprayedthatImightbeaCarmelite

nuninEngland.Itwasathrill.Nooneelseknewit.Nooneelse

couldpossiblyhavebroughteitherofthosetwothingsaboutbutJesus

Christ,thesameyesterday,today,andforever.”

Andshewrotemelater:

“Wewillmakeagoofittogether—Ihavebeenjustwhereyouare

severaltimesinmylife.Thereisnodenyingthatithurtslikethe

mischief,butthereissomethingcarriedawayoutofitthatthe

peoplewhodon’tgothroughwithitdonothave.WhenIcamebackfrom

theLittleSisters,afteraffirmingandreaffirming(tostrengthenmy

ownresolution)thatIwasnevercomingback,Ihadtofacejustthe

sameoldworld,andthesamestreetsandpeople.Then,afterthe

earthquake,IleftPaulElder’stogoouttothesettlementinthe

Mission.Iwasfulloffaithinit,toworkamongthepoor,without

thefettersofaconvent,toplananewwayinwhichCatholicgirls

coulddedicatethemselvestotheserviceofGod,usingthebestofthe

ProtestantandCatholicideasboth—andinthreemonthsI…had

handedinareportwhichcriticizedthewholeplaceseverely—andmy

resignation.Idonotknownowhowmuchwaspersonalspiteonmypart

andhowfarIwasright.AndbacktothesameoldcircleatPaul

Elder’s,withanotherbrightbubblebroken.ThencametheCarmelites,

whichcost,Ithink,morethanany,andIrememberIsodreadedcoming

backtoNewYorkandfacingeveryonethatItriedhardtogeta

positioninLondonwherewomenget$5.00aweekastrainedlibrarians.

Sobackagain.Well,educationastheworldhandsitouttousisa

mightyexpensivething.Yougivesomuchofyourheart’sbloodandget

solittlebackinanytangibleform,but‘youthshowsbuthalf’andwe

havenotyetcometotheharvestingyears.Wemightaswellsowhopes

andplansandambitionsgenerously‘andstretchthroughtimeahandto

reapthefar-offinterestoftears’.”

Andshesaidofthenumber19inherlife,inthelatefallof1918:

“Iwasthinkingalotaboutlifethismorning,cominghomefrom

church.Youknowthe27thofNovemberisMother’sanniversary….

TodayistheFeastoftheImmaculateConception,alwaysagreat

CatholicFeast…Father’sbirthdaywasthe23rdofDecember,hewas

buriedonChristmasday—theirweddinganniversarywasDecember3lst—

mybirthdayisJanuaryfirst,J—‘stheseventh,Mother’sthefifth.

Sothewholeseasonisfullofmemories,churches,masses,prayers,

associations.AnditstruckmeasstrangethatthisNewYear’s

finishesanotherhalfofmylife.Iwasnineteenthatwinter.This

yearIshallbejusttwicethat.Nineteenyearswereallchildhood,

dreaming,planning,hoping,aspiring,butwithnopracticalcare,

noresponsibilitiesofanysort,themostshelteredexistenceagirl

couldhave.Andnownineteenofasvariedanexperienceasmost

peopleknow,teaching,housekeeping,bringinguptheyoungerchildren,

sevenyearsofPaulElder’s,thesettlementhouse,travel,London,

Rome,Paris,NewYork,thetwoconventsinChicagoandLondon,extreme

poverty,self-support,comfortable,moderatemeans,asyouandIhad,

luxurysuchasthisandthemonthswithE—,sixyearsawife,five

yearsamotherwhenJ—‘sbirthdayroundsitout,—theearthquake,

whichwethoughttranscendedinsizeandimportanceanythingthat

wouldeverhappentous,andthenourlittleshareofthetragedyof

thewar.Nineteenfullyears,n’est-cepas?Andnowwestartanew

life,thankGod,together.”

Shewrotemeearlier,in1917,whileIwaswaitingtobecalledtoa

Southerntrainingcamp:

“IplanahomesomedayofthemostSpartansimplicity,allourneeds

cutdowntothelowestandplainestofpossessions,andyetaspirit

ofhospitality,ofcontentment,ofgaiety,ofself-relianceandmutual

helpfulness.Booksandbookshelves…”

AndoftheArmy:

“Itsooftenmakesmethinkofthereligiousorders.Thecombination

ofthemostheroicimpulseswiththemostcommonplacedrudgery.The

extraordinaryfluctuationsoffeeling,thinkingatonetimethatitis

theonlythingintheworldtodo…andthenthefeeling,whatamI

doingthisfor,anyway,otherpeopledonotfinditnecessary…As

onenunsaidtome,‘YoudonothavetoacceptaCarmelitevocation—

but,youhavetoeitheracceptorrefuseit.’Thechoiceislaid

beforeeveryone,butonceitis,allthecowardhastodoistostand

aside.”

Thislastillustrateshowshealwayssawthenecessitiesofthoseshe

lovedintermsofthespirit.Napoleonisreportedtohavesaidof

JesusChrist:“Hespeaksfromthesoulasnevermanspoke;thesoulis

sufficientforhim,asheissufficientforthesoul.”

Soshethought.Andherletterscontainmanyquotationssheformedher

lifeby:

“GodhimselfisTruth,Charity,andPurity,andthethreethingshe

hatesmostaredeceit,cruelty,andimpurity.”

“Godmakeusallsaints!”

Andthecharacteristicendingofaletter,withherfullnamealways

signed,suchas:

“Lord,grantusinthisworldknowledgeofthytruth,andintheworld

tocomelifeeverlasting.

TERESA.”

Butitisimpossibletoconveywhatherwayswerewiththechildren

andintheseveralhomesthatshemadesofullofdreaminglight.She

hadakeenappreciationofthehumorousnessandquaintnessof

children.Shewasalwaysquotingtometheiradventures,their

sayings.Shehadcountlessplansandschemesforworkintheworld,

andcarriedoutmanyoftheminrelationtowomansuffrage,baby

clinics,camp-fireorganizationforthegirlsofourvillage,and,

duringthewar,workwithallthelocalorganizationsamongwomenthat

itcalledintobeingwhereshewaslivingatthetime.Shewantedto

startahomeinAmericaforFrenchwidowsandorphans,thoughthis

planwasnotpossible,—shewasdeeplyinterestedintheworkforthe

protectionofyounggirlsunderMissKatharineBementDavis,andonly

circumstancespreventedhertakingthisupduringthefallof1918.

ShehadseveralinterviewswithMissDavisandshowedherselftobe

theverypersonwhocouldhavehelpedgreatly.Self-denial,sacrifice,

poverty,effortwerethewatchwordseverrecurringtoher.Herinstant

concentrationuponanybookorpaperthatcameunderhereyesbecamea

familyjoke.Shewouldbelostimmediately,obliviousofall

surroundings.Shereadandthoughtwithalivelyappreciationofthe

manyfutilitiesinlifeandadesiretomakeherlifecount.She

wastednotimeonwhatdidnotatonceattractherspirit,exceptof

necessity.Andyetshegenuinelydelightedinthesmalleventsofa

daysuchaspleaseandawechildren.Andthereasontheylovedherso

wasbecausetheyknewshebroughtthesameguilelesspointofviewto

solvetheirbewildermentfromlargerexperience.Andyetshewould

write:

“IwishIknewwhereIstood.IwasmuchhappierwhenIwasa

rigidCatholic.IwishIcouldfitbackintothatmeasure.CanIever—

anymorethanIcanfitintothementalmeasureofanun?”

Andagainhertypewritingwouldexclaimtome:

“Idon’tliketowriteletterstoyou.Iliketotalktoyou.Ilike

stillbettertobesilentwithyou!”

Whenshethoughtmeinneedofitshecouldbeveryself-forgetful:

“ButIwanttoseethefuturebigwithRomanceforyouandIwould

ratherfeelyoucamehomefromvoyagestwoweeksortwomonthslong,

withatrunkfulofmanuscripts;andthat,threeyearsfromtoday,you

hadsecuredusspecialratesonatrampsteamertoPlymouth,thanthat

youweregoingtododgeintosubwaystherestofyourlife.”

“Iwouldinfinitelyratheryoushippedbeforethemast—toBermuda,

Borneo,orBuenosAires.Don’tthinkfromthisIdon’twantyourface

acrossthetablefrommineeverynighttherestofmylife!”

Readingtothechildren,shewouldretailtomesuchincidentsas:

“ThenIreadthemtheGospelstories,…andtheyweretoofunny—R—

tryingtoshowmehowHerodlooked,andJ—suggestingcharitablythat

perhapshiswifewasgood.‘No,’saidR—,‘thewholefamilywasbad!’“

“InthespringIamgoingtotakeanoldfarmhouse,givethechildren

onebrowngarmentapiece,andplanaschemeoflivingthatwillleave

somethingoverforotherchildren.”

Andthisappealedtoher:

“Well,ifitisnotintheFallof1918,itwillbein‘oneofthose

housesOurLordisbuilding’asJ—remarkscasually.DidItellyou

ofthelittlevillageintheNorthCarolinahillswhereH—andS.L—

spentthesummer,wherethewomenraisedenoughsheeptocutthewool,

card,andspinandweavetheclothesthefamilywore?”

Inthewinterof1914shefirstvisitedAugusta,Georgia,wheremy

fatherwasstationed,andtherethecampaignagainstChildLabor,in

whichshewasalwaysvitallyinterested,becamedoublyrealin

necessitytoherasshewentthroughthecottonmillsandsaw

conditionsatcloserange.Shealwaysgavewhatsumsshecouldtothis

cause.In1915,perhapsthemostfamousyearofthewomansuffrage

battle,shewascampaigning,speaking,watchingalldayatthepolls

inhervillageofPortWashington,LongIsland.Irememberher

speakingfromthestageoftheRepublicanClubagainstacleveranti-suffragistfromNewYork.Hervoicereachedoutforsomethinginthe

heartsofheraudiencehiddeeperthantheappealofamere

legislativereform.Sheknewherintellectualground,butitwas

somethingdeeperthanintellectualitythatwenthome.

In1918theBabyWelfareMovementwasatitsheight.Shebecame

chairmanoftheAugustacommitteeandestablishedclinicsatthe

differentschoolsandsocialcentres.

SoIgraspatherlife,givingonlyaslightindicationofhowfullit

was.Herfriendswereofeverytypeandkind,ofeveryreligious

belieforlackofbelief,ofmanydifferentpoliticalopinions.

Shehatedwarwithherwholesoul.Itwasdirectlyopposedtothe

wordsofChrist.Butshewrotemeinadarktime:

“Italyisbad,Russiaisbad,Cambraiisbad.Butthosethingsare

onlyphasesintheeternalstruggleofrightagainstwrong.Andthe

onlythingthatmattersistopersonallythrowyourwholelifeinto

thebalanceforthethingsyoubelievetoberight.”

HowfarIfailedher!Itisgiventoeverymantofightsomehow

throughthebewildermentoflifewiththebestintentionshecan

realize.Andlifeseemstomelikeafiercecurrentonwhichweare

borneratherthananythingwecanreallymaster—exceptbyforgetting

it.ShehasleftmewiththefeelingthatImustknowinfinitelymore

andtrytounderstandbetter,andthatwearegovernedmosttrulyonly

bytheinexplicable.“Meanwhile,thereisourlifehere—Well?”

Theverseinthisbookisputasnearlyaspossibleintheorderof

itswriting.Ifthereisanymeritinanylineofit,themeritisof

hermaking.Ifthereisnone,theeffortwas,atleast,toreach

higherthanmygrasp—becauseofher.Awriteris—anditisthe

ancientcurse!—anegotist.ButitisnotmygriefthatIwishto

displayhere.Thehumanheartcanfortunatelyneverbeputonpaper.

Only—realityassuresofreality.

Poetryisunconscionablebecauseitfollowstrueconscience.Iknew,

inher,thatconscience,—andknowitinthesefantasticshadowscast

byherlight.Ifyoudoalso,beassuredthatthelightstillshines—

forever.

NewYorkCity,

March25,1919.

BEFORE

THESNAREOFTHEFOWLER

Love,thewildfowler,spreadshisnetswithcare,

Anddeep-tonedwarningbothourheartshaveheard,

Evenastheold-timelow-bellheldeachbird

Suddenlytrembling,nestlingpairbypair

Darkinthecovert,tillablindingglare

Oftorchlightandaclamorousshoutedword

Dazedtheirbrighteyes,andterrifiedwingsupwhirred

Tobaffledblunderingintheclose-drawnsnare.

So,dear,wecoweratourwarningbell.

Creepclosetome,whereshadowsgirdusround.

Fearwethatwildrevealment?Nay,notwe!

“Ah,perilousplay,tocrossLove’sstalking-ground!”

Youwhisper…yetoureyes,oureyescouldtell

Ofheartsthatleaptomeettheircertainty!

THWARTEDUTTERANCE

Whyshouldmyclumsyspeechsofallastray,

Touncouthjargonoftheeveryday

Turneachfitwordandphrase

Itreasuredforyourpraise?

DiscoveriesIwontofromafar,

Alltherarethingsyouare—norknowyouare,—

InOrientoffering

Ihastetoyoutobring.

Ithinktokneelandspreadonclothsofdream

Thebeautiful,thepricelessthingsyouseem;

Perfumeandpreciousstone,

Thatyoubeshownyourown.

Princeofmyvision-palace,Iwouldcall

Yournamethroughtrumpetsdownitscentralhall,

Andtheraptchoralpraise

Beforeyourdaisraise;

Andyoushouldsee,shouldhear,begladandsmile

ThatIsoloveyou.Ah,butallthewhile

Imaynotshownorteach

Savethroughmypauperedspeech!

Beggaringuise,whoamsorichatheart

Whereyouhavesetyourpurewhiteshrineapart

Andkeepyourcherishedstate

Dearandimmaculate,

Howshouldyouknoworhearme,whenmytongue

Turnsadullrebelanddothreadywrong

Tothoughtsmydreamsrepeat?—

Perhapstooproud,toosweet!

THESONGOFHER

Thouartmysingingandmyvoice,

ThylifethethingthatIwouldsing,

Perfectpastwordsofperfectchoice,

Alovelyandalastingthing.

Ineverydeedofthine,sweetheart,

Thepoetryofheavenhaspart

Beyondthegamutofallart,

Leavingmemuteandmarvelling.

ThydeedslikerhymesIhavebyheart,

Thyhappydeedsofheavenlychoice,

Deedsthatriseraptandshineapart

Asechoesofaperfectvoice

Riseandrejoicewhenvoicessing,

Lingerandring—lingerandring

Tillheavenisoftheirechoing

Andalltheheightsofheavenrejoice.

ThouartthesongthatIwouldsing,

Thepurestsongofpurestart,

Tillmenstandmuteformarvelling,

Aye,tillthesingingbreakMan’sheart

Wheresorrowsglorytorejoice

Inperfectnotesofperfectchoice

AndstrainsofOnedeep,tendervoice

Transfiguredjoysfromsorrowsstart.

InallthisworldIhavenochoice.

IfIwouldsingalastingthing,

Thouartmysingingandmyvoice.

Poorrhymesthatearnnowelcoming,

Rhymesthatarenothinglearnedinart,

Fromheaven,fromher,suchworldsapart,—

Creepthenuntohertenderheart

Andfromherlivinglearntosing!

“ALWAYSIKNOWYOUANEW”

Ipressmyhandsonmyeyes

Andwillthatyoucometome.

Yoursemblancesshimmerandrise;

Yet‘tisneveryourselfIsee,

Nevertheexquisitegrace

Andthebright,stillflameofyou.

So,whenImeetyoufacetoface,

AlwaysIknowyouanew!

FaintvisionsIsaw,instead

Ofyourbrowsdirectandwise,

Ofthelittleliltofyourhead

Andyourdark-lashed,sky-cleareyes,

Ofthesoftbrownbraidsdemure,

Thepoiseasofquietlight,

Theperfectprofile,sweetandpure,—

NeverIdreamyouaright!

Andnewinendlessways,

Byyourblessedheartunplanned,

Itisminetosurpriseeachsweeterphase,

Adoreyou,andunderstand;

Forthrougheverydeliciouschangeinyou

Truthburnswithaclearstillflame;

And,thoughalwaysIknowyouanew,

AlwaysIfindyouthesame!

THERIVALCELESTIAL

God,wiltThouneverleavemylovealone?

Thoucomestwhenshefirstdrawsbreathinsleep,

Thycloakbluenight,glitteringwithstarsofgold.

Thoustandestinherdoorwaytointone

ThepromiseofThytroththatshemustkeep,

ThewondersofThyheavensheshallbehold.

Herlittleroomisfilledwithblindinglight,

Andpastthedarknessofherwindow-pane

Thefacesofgladangelscloselypress,

Gesturingforhertojointheirhostthisnight,

MountwiththeircavalcadeforThydomain.

Thendarkness…butThyworkisdonenoless.

ForshehathlookedonThee,andwhenonme

Herblueeyesturnbyday,theypassmeby.

Allofferings—evenmyheart—slipfromherhands.

Shemovesindreamsofutterblisstobe,

Longsforwhatnoughtofearthmaysatisfy.

MyheartbreaksasIclutchlove’sbreakingstrands.

Iclutch—theypart—tothewidewindsareblown.

Andshestandsgazingonacloud,astar,—

Blindtoearth’sheartoflovewhereheavenliesfurled.

God,wiltThouneverleavemylovealone?

Thouhastallpowers,dominions,worldsthatare;

Andsheisallmyworld—isallmyworld!

THETAMEROFSTEEDS

Beyondthisworldwhereskiesarefreefromstain,

Wherebrilliantflowersblowinopenmeads,

Iheardthedrumminghoofsofmanysteeds

Raisemaddeningmusicfromagrassyplain.

Theypassed,withsnortingnostril,flyingmane,

Andfieryspirit;andtheladwhobreeds

Theirmettledherd,andpasturesthem,andfeeds,

Rodetheblackforemost,scorningspurorrein.

Hiseyeswerelikeaseer’sandlikeachild’s.

Hisbodyshoneirradiatingjoy.

Hefoughthisfuriousmountwithstrengthandart.

Andthenmyminddivinedthegloriousboy

AsEros,tamerintheheavenlywilds

Ofallthepassionsofthehumanheart.

LOVEINARMOR

LovescornsthatLoveimploreyou

Tobindhishurtsorheal;

Praysonly,armaroundyou,

Todrawonhoursthathoundyou,

Towhirlhisswordbeforeyou

Andfenceyourpathwithsteel.

Notforthebeautyofyou,

Thepeaceofallyourways,

Heburns—butinyourquarrel

Toholdthepassofperil,

Tostandatarmsaboveyou

Againstembattleddays.

Nocomfortforhisblundering

Hecriesyourhearttoyield,

Butthathisarmenfoldyou,

Hisshield-armshieldandholdyou

Safe,whenthefoechargethundering,—

Hisswordagainstthefield!

WARDROBEOFREMEMBRANCE

Guisesyourmoodsonceworearehungwithin

Theclosetofmymind.Itakeaccess

Thismomenttoregardthemandconfess

Howspareforwantofyoutheyhang,andthin.

Pityseemsalltheirargumentmaywin,

Thatfine,frailrustlingofeachmood’smeetdress.

Yetstartsasubtleincensefromthepress,

Crushedperfumesoftheflowersyourthoughtshavebeen.

Sweeterthaneverspokendotheycome

Againwithfinerrelishtomymind

Starvedonyourabsence.Falsesurmiseisnumb,

FornowinthesereliquesofyouIfind

Thesmileyoumeantwhenrebellipsweredumb,

Thekindwordsagitationmadeunkind.

THESECONDCOVENANT

Idreamtthatwewerelying

Onahighhillafar,

Ourdeepestthoughtsreplying

Toonelonestar.

Highfromthevaultofheaven

Itssilverrayswereshed;

Andthedeeppeacebetweenus

Wasthepeaceofthedead.

Ourbusyliveswereover,

Ourdayandnightandday;

Ofyouandmeyourlover,

Noughtmoretosay;

Andsorrowswehadvanquished

Andblisseswehadknown

Andourcaresandourkisses

Tothefourwindswereblown.

Thehandclaspofcontrition,

Theeyesightofeach

Whereeachhadrecognition,

Werepassed,withourspeech.

Vastnightdeclaredaboveus,

“Nowsightandsemblancefade,

Noheart’semotionbindeth

Ashadowtoashade.”

Thenwithinme,lyingnearyou,

Adarksadnessgrew

That,tocherishortocheeryou,

Therewasnoughtlefttodo.

Ofhappydailyservice

Noughtnowremainedtome—

Ofgoodnewsforyouandcomfort

Asonceitusedtobe.

Nobeautysavethespirit’s

Abodewideheaven’sscrolls;

Nocharmthefleshinherits,

Nostrengthsavethesoul’s;

Asbreathuponamirror

Allrecognizingsign.

Yetnearerfaranddearer

Yoursoulspoketomine.

Forviewednotofeachother,

Yetclosersidebyside

Thanchilduntohismother,

Thanhusbandtobride,

Thoughtuntothoughtyouanswered.

Oneprayerweseemed—onebreath;

Andthedeeplovebetweenus

Wastheloveafterdeath.

DEDICATIONTOAFIRSTBOOK

Braverthansea-goingshipswiththedawnintheirsails,

Thanthewindbeforedawnmorehealingandfragrantandfree,

Fairerthansightofacityallwhitefromthemountain-topviewedin

thevales,

Orthesilver-brightflakesofthemoonlightinlakes,whenthemoon

ridesthecloudsandtheforestawakes,

Youaretome!

Foryouaretomewhatthebowstringistotheshaft,

Speedingmypurposealoftandaflameandafar,

Throughthethickofthefight,inyoureyes’steadylightmysoul

hathseensplendor,andlaughed.

Now,howeverItendbetwixtfoemanandfriendthroughtheriddleof

LifetoDeath’slightattheend,

Irideforyourstar!

THESHADOWEDROAD

Ourshadowsmovedbeforeusontheroad.

Thetreesthatwatchedusbroodeddarkandstill,

Streakedbythefrostwithphosphorescentgray.

Chillfollowedsharplyonagorgeousday

Ofwinds,blownleaves,redbonfires.Faintlyshowed

Themist-ringedmoonabovethepasturehill.

Ourshadowsmovedbeforeus.Byourside

Newmystery,throbbingthroughtherhythmoflife

Echoedourfootsteps;anditspresencegrew

Sorealtome,Ifeltitspowerendue

Anarchangelicshape,whosephantomstride

Rhymedwithourownwhowalkedasmanandwife.

Lightfelluponusfromtheglimmeringmoon,

AndlightuponhisfacewhosenameisLove.

Ah,therapteyes,thetender,quickeninggaze,

Thesplendoronthatwildimmortalface!

Thenhurryingcloudpossessedtheheavens,andsoon

Isawhisshadowdarkenfromabove.

Beyondourownitstretchedalongtheway,

ThedarknessofDeath’scowl,moredeepthannight.

Gulfingourown,itblottedouttheroad,

TheshadowofLovethatbrightestdreamsforebode.

Yet,inmysoulIfoundathingtosay:

“Thoughdarknessgobefore,wewalkinlight.

“ThisisLove’sanswer!”ForDeath’snightmustmove

Onwardbeforetwoheartsthatcastoutfear,

Joinedbytheclosestofimmortalbonds.

Theyshallspeaktruthwhenprayertoprayerresponds,

“DeathbutprecedesusastheshadowofLove.

Lightfallsaboutusfromasurersphere!”

LOVEINTHEDAWN

Dawn,withhallowedflame,seemedtosingyourname

Throughouropenwindowasthegoldenglorycame.

Ardorthrilledmethrough;Dawnagain—withyou!

“Upandattheworldagain!Theworldismadeanew!”

Newlyonmysightflashedthelovelylight,

Alltheringingroadsoffameglitteredbroadandbright.

Onagain!withnewvisionstopursue;

Anddawnagain,dawnagain,dawnagain—withyou!

Otherdawnsmaykeepjoyaspureanddeep?

Dawnsofgreatersplendormayawakenmefromsleep?

Nay!theynevercanblessastubbornman

Likethedawn,thewonder-dawnwithwhichthisdaybegan!

Oh,mydeedsmusttaketriumphforitssake!

Loudmyheartshallsingitwhilethemindremainsawake:

WordsIneverknewcouldsothrillmethrough—

Dawnagain,dawnagain,dawnagain—withyou!

“HADIACLAIMTOFAME?”

HadIaclaimtofame?

Littletohonor;

SavewhenIspokehername,

Gazinguponher.

ThenwasIcrownedofmen,

Morethanmyseeming.

Youth’sglorioushopeagain

Banneredmydreaming.

So,whenourdayispast;

Whenweliestilly

Undertheearthatlast,

Clodbywhitelily.

Givemeneithertearnorsigh;

Breathbutthisinpassingby,

Whereempearledwithmorningdew

Thehighgrassaboveher

Waves,andabovemetoo,—

“Hewasherlover!”

THEONE

Youarethatbelovèdthing

Which,throughallmyseeking

Insilenceorinspeaking,

Iwouldfind,andfindingsing!

Youarethatbelovèdair

Which,o’erallthechiming

Ofmusicorofrhyming,

Reconcilesmylongdespair.

Youarethatbelovèdsight

Which,beyondlife’sfairest

Orrichbeauty’srarest,

Fillsmyheartwithtruedelight.

Youarethatbelovèdplace

Where,pastalltheportals

Tothepompofmortals,

Loveperceivesthecourtsofgrace,

Andwhatsplendorsmore,—ah,well!

ThoughIoftenfashion

Songsofpraiseandpassion,

Now—Ilook—butcannottell!

DREAMANDDEED

AlldaylongIamfashioningcrowns,

Crownsofgreatpriceforyou!

WhatdoIfashionthemof?

Opalsandpearlsofthedew,

Diamondsofoldrenowns,

Blazingrubiesoflove,

Andgoldfromtheheartofthegoldensun,broughtdown

byasunsetdjinn,—

Brightergold,purergoldthanevergleamedunder

Andvari’sfin!

AlldaylongIamtemperingswords,

Swordsformythoughttowield!

WhatisthesteelItrue,

Andhowistheirsplendorannealed?

Highdreams,toslayevilhordes,

Andflamingthoughtsofyou

Thatlightmydarkheartfromtheirwhite-hotforge—

aglorytotakeone’sbreath—

Likethedove-gray,rose-faintveilsoffaithyouwind

roundtheskullofdeath!

Butwhenwasaswordoracrown

Forpraiseorforhonormeet,

Whenthetruthtranscends,andsees

Knighthoodkneelingatyourfeet?

Inthedarknesstheygodown!

Thereisbettertrustinthese:

Setteeth,andthefuriouswilltostrivethroughthedust

oftheworldforyou;

Thehardlybuildedhouseofdeedseachday,thatmust

provemetrue!

ATAPEROFINCENSE

Youareabanneredbalcony

OfGod’sheraldichouse,

Wavingabovethedinningthrongofthedays

Pennantsofpurpleandoriflammesofcrimson

Andclothsofgold.

Yourvaryingdeviceisoneveryshiningshield

Ofthebrilliantrowthatflamesbeneaththeeaves

Ofthathousewhosestreetiscobbledwithsilverclouds.

Thedaysgodownthatstreet,thetroopsofdays

Darkandbright,trampingtotreadtheearth.

Ever,withtrumpetsandtumult,rigororlaughter,

Theypasssaluting,topressupontheworld,

Regimentafterregimentunnumbered.

Yourbeautyisabalconyhungwithbanners

Towavethemon.Theforemosthavesentyourname

Echoingrearwardtoheartennewbattalions.

Yourbeautyisthesunset’sstreamingflag,

Itisthevividstandardofthedawn

Flappingoverdazeddream-voyagers

Thatkneelonnewsun-pooled,mysteriousstrands.

Itwastedthemoontopallor,setthesun

Pulsingwithburningblood—itshatteredthemind

Ofheavenintostars.

Thebeautyofyourspirithassentthewinds

Eternallysighing,andsharpenedthecoldache

Oftheheart-broken,incessantly-sobbingsea.

Ithasscattereditssparksintheheartsofsilkenflowers

AndhasraisedthefrozenfuryofglaciersagainsttheNorth

AndhaspermeatedtheSouthwithitselusivefragrance.

AuroraloverEastandWestitdances.

Youareacrystalgobletofsuchwine

Setinanicheofnight

ThatwhenDeathquaffsyouhemustglowtolife

Flushedwitheternity.

OproudLove,sohumbleandhuman,

Yetbeyondthegodstoexalt—

OquietLove,couchingwiththecurledmightandmajesty

Oftawnyleopards!

Otamedtiger,Love,whosegoldeneyes

Weepforthethriftofangels!

Thoupinnacledpainofthemidnight,

Rose-strewerofdaylitmire,

Transfigurationofourfutilelives,

Dazzlerintothesecretcourtsofheaven—

Thouwhosepassioniswritteninallmen’sbloodandtears

AndinsilverlettersuponthebooksofGod—

Makemetostanderect,andwalkwithdanger,

Andstrivelikeaflame!

ForThouandIarestruckascymbalsofGod’sexultation

InLife,Hissong!

TOPURITY

GodknowsthatyouarebeautifulasDeath

Chancedoninsomehot,sunlitforest-clearing

Where—burstfromtangledthickets,withdesperatebreath—

Myoutlawedheartmightgaspathimappearing

Sosuddenanddazzlinguponmyrageandfearing,—

Suchpaleannouncement,suchquietudeshouldendue

Tall,proud,graveDeath,withnoblefootstepsnearing!

Immortalgoddess,thusbeautifulareyou!

GodknowsthatyouarepassionateasLife,

Onrhythmiccurvesofbosomandlimbattending,—

Sweetasclearwater,andacidasaknife

Thrustthroughfreshfruitwherewiththeboughisbending,—

YetruletheriotousbloodtoMan’sbefriending,—

Yea,hushhisghastlytearsthemidnightthrough,

Tofleshoffleshyouragelessmysterylending.

Ah,holygoddess,thusterribleareyou!

Godknowsthatyouarehatedasmenhate

Onlythehighestandtheuttermostpresence,

Forinyoureyesisangertobreakfate

Andlife’stooblissfulsweetisallyouressence.

Yourgloryseethedthesunstoincandescence,

Youareflame—flame!Ourcreedsyourorbunto

Arebutthinshadowydemilunesandcrescents,—

Immortalgoddess,soinfiniteareyou!

Infiniteinrangeoflife,thewormyouquicken

Fromcrashingsuns….“Lettherebelight!”yousaid.

Lightwas,andlife,—Manrose,andManfellstricken

Byyourrelentlesspowerthatthroughhimsped;

AndagainManrose,haltlikethewalkingdead,

Draggingtheseheavylawsyouneverknew

Tillyourecoiledfromhimastonishèd,—

Ah,holygoddess,sowonderfulwereyou!

SonowManhathsmearedfilthuponyouraltar,

And,slant-eyedandslime-lipped,wroughtsinsapart.

Histongueintonesanabominablepsalter

Hoarsely,andonhisbrowscoldsweat-dropsstart,—

Northroughyouroraclesspeakshefromhisheart,

Hearingyouintheporchesofhisears;

Hiseyesareblindofyou,whereonlysmart

Thesickrevulsionsofhisignoranttears.

No!Heintonesbyroteacodedpraise,

Untoaleeringtwo-facedgodfallsprone,

Andsmearswithlustandfearhisalternatedays

Formonstrousimaginationstoatone;

Foryou,mostinstant,mostardent,—youareflown

Likefumestohisclownishbrain,andinhisfear

Hedreamsyouaeunuchcarvedofpallidstone

Warning,“Bewareallyewhoenterhere!”

TOPURITY

Godknowsyouareascleanasthesea-gust

Uproariousroundthosepoppiedheadlandshigh

Wherehugegreenseasbeneath,inbillowsupthrust,

Scattersnow-amethyststothebrightsapphiresky,—

Ormusiconwhichfusilladethehoof-beatsby

Ofscreamingvalkyr-steeds,toexaltedstrife!

Youarelove’ssealandlove’snobility,

Andtheburningflame,theachingflameofLife!

Therefore,transfigureroftheflesh,—clear-shining

Redeemerofthecoinagepassedforbase,—

Strongflawlesscolumn,roundwhichallviperstwining

Hissouttheirvenomanddieontheirdisgrace,—

Ohradiantform,ohraptvictoriousface

Ofourdreamsoflove,towardwhomallbraveandtrue

Strainupward,seekingoutyourholiestplace,—

ThispraiseIraise,thispraiseIraisetoyou!

ATONEMENT

ThroughflamelitHades

Towinarealm,

Irodewithmylady’s

Sleeveonmyhelm.

Withfiendsaroundme

Andfiendsbefore,

Irode,andfoundme

Atanirondoor.

Mypulseshammered.

Iclubbedmyspear

Andknocked.Fiendsclamored.

IfeltMan’sfear

Whenmysteriesawehim.

Thedoor,withdin,

Swungwide.Isawhim

Whosattherein.

Oh,amaranthine

AreLove’sestates,

ButRhadamanthine

TheJudgeawaits.

Myblazonandbanner

Hestaredthemthrough

Andsaid,“Whatmanner

Ofmanareyou?”

Istoodstrippednaked,

Starktoatone.

Mybodyachèd

Througheverybone.

Ablastblewthroughme.

Idrankblackgall.

Isawheknewme.

Itoldhimall.

“TheheartIstarein

Isblackasnight,”

Hesaid,“buttherein

Thereburnsalight.

Whitehandsencoreit

Toguarditsgrace,

Andstrangelyo’erit

Bendsastillface.

“Smalllight—greatwonder!

Throughallmyhall

Youflashasunder

Themurkypall.

Wallsgrowunreal—

AllHellawraith,—

Ohwhite,ideal

Flameofherfaith!”

“HereIsurrender,

Whiteflameoftrust!

Knave,strikesomesplendor

Fromthisyourdust.

Ohgross,weak,dumbthing,

Rise—dareapart!

Forhere—issomething

Thatbreaksmyheart!”

THEADORATION

Now,likewithdrawingmusic

Wherepillaredaislesimplore,

Youareavanishedchoir,

Asoft-closeddoor.

Victoriousvoicesblended

Fade,andIkneelstill-hearted.

Suddenmylifeisended.

Wehaveparted.

Lostinthevault’svastsplendor

Myghostgoesrising,thinning.

Canheartbreakbeanend,or

Somestrangebeginning?

TALISMAN

Eachcupshallbebroken,

Eachtowershallfall,

Alldrinkbebitter,

Bitterasgall,

Thedarkheartgolonely—

Saveforonetower,

Onecyathusonly,

Onewineofpower!

Mylove’swhitebeauty

Isthistower,

Thewineofherbeauty

Mywineofpower,

Thecupofherspirit

Minetodrain

Withawfulknowledge

Andtremblingpain.

Sheonly,sheonly

Standsonthestars.

Hersmallhandsgrapple

Heaven’sblackbars.

Onlyherdeeplove

Paystheprice

Ofasightofthevistas

Ofparadise.

Eachgobletmayshatter,

Eachtowermayfall,

Lowlividsunset

Darkenonall—

Inhersoul’shightower

Mylovepourswine,

Andthegloryandthepower

Ofthestarsaremine!

RECOGNITION

Likethetwilightblowingoversunsetwater

Underhighholyhillspurple-mirroredinamere,

Quietlyandsmiling,mydearlovebroughther

Hearttomyheart,andthroughtheduskdrewnear;

Drewtomenear,drewmybrowsuptothetender

Caressofherhands.AndIliftedupmyeyes

Tohers,anddeepwithinthemsawasilentsplendor

Morestill,morestrangethantheplanets’intheskies.

Eachgazedoneach.Owhatismortalseeing

Tothegloryofthatdepth,tothegloryofthatheight

Throughveilsrevealed,whenallthegatesofbeing

Burstopentoatorrentofsuchblindinglight!

Yes,andhereIstandwarpedbylife’sderision,

AmountebankgrimacinglestatlastIweep.

WhatmancouldtellthatIhadeverseenavision

Morewonderfulthananyonthesteepsofsleep?

Dayscome,daysgo,astheclocktickshours.

Yearsloom,yearspass;theshadowsrise….

Likethetwilightbreathingoverholyflowers

Oncemylovedrewnear.AndIliftedupmyeyes….

TRIBUTE

RememberingonewomanIhaveseen

Andhaveknown,

Benignanteyes,nobilityofmien,

Ascarffromoffaperfectshoulderblown,

Solicitude,whiteardorinaface,

Motionslikewaterunderthemoon’sgrace,—

Iwondermuchhowmencanbesobase,

Soworsethanstone.

Ohmurmuringsofmusicthroughtheworld,

Yewomenborn

Toarduousthingsandangers,andupwhirled

Liketonguesofflamethroughsmokeoftheworld’sscorn,

Crystallinelights,awfulandfitfulgleams

Ofreconciliationwithourdreams,

Throughyoualonetheworld’struespiritstreams

Soundinghersilverhorn.

AllthingsIwishforyouthatheightmayhold,

Whoholdtherace,

Ohdesperaterunnersonthetrackunrolled

Overthehighlandsnow,inthesun’sface;

Oswiftandfree,hoverersontheverge

Whencetheimpossiblethingswemockedemerge,—

Owings—wings—slidingthestarrysurge

Andveeringonthechase!

Thesatyrandthecentaurracebelow

Deridingwingsabove.

Manfultheymeetandfighttooverthrow

Alltheyareweariedof,—

Manfultheybuild,demolish,drive,aredriven,—

Butyouarefree,whohavemoregreatlystriven,

Yoursisthelightabovetheirlightlessheaven,

ForyoursisLove!

THESILVERHIND

Throughtheblackforest

Youglance,youstart,—


Thatismyheart!

Beautiful,silver-heeled,

Swiftaswind,

Toppingthebrake

Likeaflyinghind!

Ihaveabugle

Ofivory

Thewizardoftwilight

Gavetome.

Ihearitwindinginmyheart,

Intheblackforest,whereyoustart.

AndIknow,

Likehuntsmeningoldandgreen,

Thatmythoughtsspurpast

Whereyouhavebeen,

And,likehoundsthathaveslippedtheleash,

Theyrace,—

Bell-tonguedbrachets

Uponyourtrace.


Youreach,yourun,

Outoftheshadow,

Intothesun.

Andthehuntbehind

Islyricandloud

Wherehorsesandhounds

Andhuntsmencrowd….

Butyouaregone—

Oh,youaregone

Outtotheblazeandgloryofdawn!

Leavingtheprintofblood-redanemones

Inthemould,andechoesofancientglees

Shakinglikesilverleavesonmysombretrees!

ARISTEASRELATESHISYOUTH

(Who,inhisage,wasreportedamagicianthroughoutallGreece,as

itwassaidthathissoulcouldleavehisbodyatwill.)

Earlyrosewasthelight

AsIsoughttheportico

Whenceherwingshadflutteredinflight

Andwithsurgeandflow

Hadrisentosoar,andgo

Out,outoverthesea,

Dwindlingwhiteandsoftandslow

Toamemory.

Oh,griefofallyearstobe!

Mostmiserableofmen!

Mythroatachedwithmytears,

Asasworddriventhroughmyears

Wasmyanguishthen.

Darkweretheroomswheretheylay

Wholovedintheflesh

(Diana’sdisciplestheysaid!)

Inthatlupanarofthedead.

Sweetwasthefleshtheyloved,

Gracefulthelimbsthatmoved,

Wildthepassionthatthey

Desiredafresh

Inthenight.Weretheynotoftheworld,

Oflustandtoilandwar?

AndI—Itoo?

Yea—tillthatmusicswirled

Aboutme,andIknew

Iwasvisitedofastar!

Astaritwasgrewandgrew

(AshotinthedarkIlay,

Panting,afterthefeast,)

Gloriousoutoftheeast,

Andafacethatmademysoul

Aslowlyuncrumplingscroll,

Itglimmeredsonearandfey!

Hervoicerippledlikewater

Inthelightgold-green

Ofsomemid-noonravine.

Shestooped,themoon’sdaughter,

Withherhandunderneathmyhead

Andherlipsonthelipsofthedead.

Iarosefrommyrumpledbed.

Awaterfallslidinggreen

Inasilver-mosaickedscreen

Wetwotrodunder;

ThenIturnedwhereherlighttouchled,

Tremblingbutunafraid.

AcrosssomeElysiansod,

Wingedofheel,Ifloated—agod!—

Downandintoamoon-filledglade,

Agladeofwonder….

Buttheeastgrewsteadilybright,

Aglaringseaoflight.

Ithrobbedtodrumsofdread.

Andmyeyesstillheldherflight

Whenshebrokethatdreamwithonekiss

Ofagonizingbliss,

Stoodinstreamingflamebymybed,

Gestured,andfled.

BetweenthepillarsIsaw,

BeyondthepillarsIheard

Wingsofnomortalbird

Flareandwithdraw.

Andtheywhohadfeastedandpassioned

Slept,findinglightnobar,

Sleptintheirbodies’ease.

Butunderthoserustlingseas

Thatlappedatthewater-stair

Iachedtoplungemydespair

Andmyheart,thatsomegrimGodfashioned

Tobevisitedofastar!

MANPOSSESSED

Shaken,athousandtimesshaken,withthemillionsthatgrieve,

NowatlastIamovertaken.IwillsayIbelieve.

Iranwiththepennonsofmorningastreamoverme.

Ontheprecipice,scorningitswarning,Irantobefree.

StillIlovehighwindsandthegreatrunningandthesteepverge,

Butstrengthpastmystrengthovertakesmycunning,andstarsemerge

Highoverme,eternal,deathless,deepoverdeep,

AndmyheadswaysheavyasIrunbreathless,myeyelidsdroopwith

sleep.

Yetitisnotthishasshakenmysoulinme,

Nottheboundsoflifehaveovertakenmywilltobefree,

Butscentandsoundpastmeteandbound,andasign—asign

Thatnoothereyescanrecognize,thatisonlymine.

IhardlyknowwhatIbelieveorwhatImean

Savethereissweetnessroundmyheartandtheworldascreen

Ofinterwovenmysterytoaworldunseen.

Canonedrinktheair,canoneseizethesea,canonegraspthefire?

Evensointangibletometheanswertomydesire.

Theelementswefeelandseeshiftanddriftandsuspire

Andwethereinbehindthescreen,withglimmeringbrainsthattire.

Thatisall!NorcanIfallnowintherace.

Asasecondbreathtoarunnercomesmysoultakesupthepace—

ForIdreamedtheworldranwithmeinafarandstarryplace.

Grayassea-mistdrivenweretheshapesthatstrove

Withthestrengthofgreedandhateandthegreaterstrengthoflove.

Isawtheireyeslikephosphorus,bluefogaboutthemwove.

IsawthelimbsglimmerandIheardthesighingcome

Fromthissideandfromthat,asourhostrandumb

Overasilvershiningplain,tosomestrangeend,tosome—

Wasitgoalorheavenorcity?—someagonizinggleam

Thatbroketheheartforpityandmadetheeyesstream.

Abovethepallorofthatraceourspentbreathroselikesteam,

Yetourredheartspulsedwithinus,asweran,inmydream.

Aglowbelowtheghostlysurfthatswirledandsurgedandturned

Camefromhumanheartsvisiblethatthrobbedandbeatandburned,

Andlikesandofhumanasheswasthesoilourfeetspurned.

Allthestarsaboveusthrongedthedomeofspace,

Poisedlikejaveliniers,withglintingspearormace,

Watchfulofourrunningandtospoilourrace,

Andallthesoulsthatran,ranwithdrawnandliftedface.

Thistoowasthereal.Iranwithdoggedheart.

Iparchedlikeadesert,torturedineverypart.

Iknewnotwhatcity—norwhytheraceshouldstart.

Thenasingingtouchedme,andthescentofaflower,

Achild’slaugh,andthecryingofawomaninherhour,

Andacomrade’scourage—andasubtlepower

Notofworldlyschemesandwayscreptalongmyveins,

Andmyheartwentablazeandconsumeditsmanystains,

Andmylipsweretouchedwithwineandmybodyfeltnopains.

Thenitpassed—andyetagainitcameanditpassed—

Yetagainandyetagain,tillItoiledatlast

Intheoldironictorture,boundfast,boundfast.

ButasIlookedIsawhowitcameandwent,

Thattouch,thatcommunion,almostinevident,

Throughthehostofthesemybrotherswhorannighspent.

Whenitcametheyranlikemenwithlifeandlung

Andthewindwentbythemlikeasongbravelysung,

Theirheartsspreadwideradiance,theirlimbsglowedyoung.

Itpassed,andtheywerephantomswithphantomarmsthatswung.

Hereandthereatrueformsomespiritwouldendue

Formoments,butwemortalswerebutghostsIknew.

Thenalightlowdownbeforeustoadistantlandscapegrew.

Thestarsfromheavencrowdeddown.Iknewourracewasthrough.

Thestarsfromheavencrowdeddownintolerablybright

Withdizzyingbrilliance,heightabovearmoredheight.

Everystarupcastaspearandhurleditdowntosmite.

Therewasonestrangethoughtinme.Itechoedthroughmyhead

Assometitaniccorridorechoesagianttread,

Onlyalittlethingthatmyloveoncehadsaid.

Commondailyspeech,acomfortingword

Tossedtomeaslightlyascrumbstoabird,

Butitlivedinmyheart,itbroketoflameandstirred

Myselftoapurposeatlastnotselfcouldmar,

AndIcried“Wearedelivered!”andIhearditechofar

Uptothevaultofheavenpaststaronshrinkingstar.

SothenIwasrunningthroughpoppiesthatIknew

Aboveablueseabasking—andyou—andyou

Wererunningontheheadlandintheworldmadeanew.

Iknowsomeforceismighty,someforceIcannotreach.

Iknowthatwordsaresaidtomethatarenotsaidwithspeech.

MyhearthaslearnedalessonthatIcanneverteach.

OnlythisIknow,thatIamovertaken

ByaswifterrunnerWhosebreathisnevershaken,

ThatIfollowonHispace,andthatroundme,asIwaken,

Aretheheadlandsofhomeandtheblueseaswinging

Andtheflowersofthevalleystheirfreshscentsflinging

Andtheprophetsandthepoets,withtheirsinging—withtheir

singing!

MINIATURE

Forallyourgestures,foryourgray-blueeyes

AndIrishmouth,andhairthatmakesyouchild,

Whenshakenoutatevening;foryourmirth

Andyourquickpity,andyourmother’sbreast;

Forthegreattendernessthatyouhavegiven

Andtherichdreamsthroughpurple-flowingnight,

Theholylullofeffortandthepeace

Ofadeeplove;becauseofallthesethings,

WhereverIshouldbe,—beyondwhatseas

Ofanenchantedmusic,onwhatisles,

Iknownot,ofastrangeirradiance,

Indreamorlifeordeath,—dissatisfied

Withsplendororwhitemystery,myheart

Wouldbreak—myheartwouldbreak—nevertohear

Yourtonesagainorfeelyourhairagain

Beneathmylips,orseeyourliftedeyes

Brimmingwithallthesecretsofthestars!

DEATHWILLMAKECLEAR

Whatinthenightsaystheclockthattickstimetoeternity,

Swimmerofwavesofyourthoughtthataredarkwavesanddeep?

Whatinthenightsaysthemoon,fromherpatientinfinity,

Layingpalehandsonyourheart,handsofpeaceandofsleep?

Whatsaythestarstohereyes,whohasloosedbythewindow

Thebillowofherhair,asthedarkofthetreesfeelsherfear?

Andoverthecradlewhatwhisperisbreathing,isbreathing.

Asoverthebedofthebrideorthecatafalquedbier,

Orovertheflungandclawedearthwhereasoldierisdying?

“Deathwillmakeclear!”

Furiousandfleetisman’ssoul,likeahoundthroughthewoodland,

Onthroughthetangleoftreesandthegreenandthegold.

Yes,forthesensesaregoads,butthelineagenoble,

Notforthewarrenorhutchtobecorneredandsold,

Thenthereisfreedomandease,andadreamthatpersuadesone

On,tillthetrackquakesonblackwhencethedeath-liliespeer.

Sothebronzedshoulder,thatsetstothecrustoftheboulder

Heavingitup—asthemill-wheelthatturnsattheweir—

Bring—?Theybringsilenceandcandlesandcreakingandwhispers.

Deathwillmakeclear.

Whythatwhiteworkfromthecragandthehandsofthesculptor

Smitteninamomenttorubbleasearthheavesherbreast?

Whythatintangibleglory,remotebutGod-in-us,

Goldenandcrumblingtopathosofduskinthewest?

Whythepurecurveofthearmandthebreastofamother,

Yes,andtheproudheadofmanhelderectonthemere

Voidofblueheaven,—theseasandtheshipsandthetrumpets,

Towersandhorizons,allshouting?Theanswerishere,

Hereinthybreast,sonofman,sorrysonoftheages.

Deathwillmakeclear.

Lordofthemighty,asLordoftheweakandthelowly,

Lordofthesageandthemadman,ofcleanandunclean;

Breederofsunsandofexcrement,loathlyandholy,

Gravingtheskullwiththepityofallthathadbeen,—

Death,ohthougraverofcountenanceknightedausterely,

Yea,onthepitifulclay,suchpoorfleshinitsfear

OfGodandthesoulandthesingingofstarsthatmayteachus

Wisdomatlast,—ohthouultimatesearcherandseer,

Beckon—Ifollow.Atlastonmylipssetthyfinger;

Thouwiltmakeclear!

SUNLIGHT

Sunlightisfullofage.

Ah,soold!

Olderthananysage

Hasevertold!

ThedraughtourLordquaffedup

Tothebloodylees;

Theachinghemlockcup

OfSocrates.

Itisagoldensword;

TheveiloftheGrail;

TheunfathomableWord

Thatwillnotfail.

Alongasummerstreet

Itoftenlies

Shimmeringtorepeat

Immortalparadise.

Asamountainlakecanmirror

Theexaltedwiththenear,

Heaven’swonderandterror—

Bothshinehere.

Itsaysallthingsinnought;

And,sayingthem,passes

Togildlikegentlethought

Treesandgrasses.

Itswaysupontheocean

Likeagodasleep

Wherethewaves’wanderingmotion

Hidesthedeep.

Itshaftsthroughforestaisles

Likemiracle;

Ittremblesandsmiles

OnthelipofHell.

IthastouchedGreeceandRome

AndPersia’smight—

Andstirsthevinesofhome

Withflickeringlight.

ItlayonCain’shotneck

Ashestoopedtoslay.

David’sstonefromthebeck

Glittereditsday.

Cleopatragazeduponit

Throughshadowedlids.

Highhallstheybuilttoshunit

InthePyramids.

Itopensbabies’hands

Thatcrawltosnatchitsbeams.

Throughhovelsinancientlands

Itssplendorstreams.

Eternalwellsoflight

Itslargenessshows.

Thereshallbenomorenight

Itsconscienceknows.

Itisasmilingstranger,

Afaintinghour,

Loveandpeaceanddanger

Andthemockofpower.

YethaveIsaidnoword

Ofwhatitis.

Only—myheartisstirred

Byitsmysteries!

ANDALONGWAYOFFHESAWFAIRYLAND

Ilivedoncewithfairies,

(AndIknowthey’retruefairies!)

Oneliftslaughingeyes

InawayImostadmire.

Truthgoesbycontraries,

Foryoudon’tknowthey’refairies

Tillthereisn’tanyfirelight,

Norsongbesidethefire.

Onefairy’ssmalltohold,

Andherhairisfairygold.

One’safemininefairy

Withunusualaddress.

Onefairy’sjustJim.

Youjustlookandlovehim,

Withhisnonsenseandhislaugh

Andhissturdysteadfastness.

AndthefairyqueenIknew

Haseyesthatareblue,

Hasmoodsthataredecided,

Andcouragethatdenies

Itiseverbraveatall.

Shemendsthemwhentheyfall;

Shetendsthelittlefairies

Inabsurd,delightfulwise.

Theybringherthoughtslikebirds

Andveryfunnywords

Andmountainousdecisions

Andthingstomakeyoucry.

But,afterall,it’sairy

Inthehouseofafairy,

Withafacelikethattosobto

Andthosearmscloseby.

Ilivedoncewithafairy.

Iwaswildandcontrary.

I’mstillwildandcontrary.

Butherheart’saheartfortwo.

Sheseesroomsofstarrygraces,

Kindfirelightonourfaces,

Andawatchonsleepingfairies,

Andthefairyhomecometrue.

Onceagain,withgentleevening

Andthedreamingtrees,cometrue.

INTIMEOFTROUBLE

InmemoryofyourdesolateeyesIknow

Thatwordsarewords,withnothingtogainsay

Thetestimonyofpain,theheavyday;

Butsearchingintheruinsofoverthrow

IgatheredyouthiswreaththatnowIshow;

Smallandbarbaricbrightnessonthegray,—

Glimmeringirony,perhaps.Ilay

Itdownbeforeyoureyes,andsoftlygo.

YouareavistablunderedoninArden

Wherethefoolgraspshisbells,thathemayhark;

Asuddenskywardpathwherecliffsarewarden

Ofwavesthatfoamtoreachahightide-mark;

Whisperofblossomsinamidnightgarden;

Afountainwhitelyfloweringonthedark.

ANOMALY

Menwhoarefaintochange,lookwizenedly

Intotheflowingmirrorofyourthought

Andseeonwhatstrangereefsyourjoysarecaught

Andcontemplateyourvexedvariety:

Griefthatwashoodedforeternity

Castingthestoleforspangleddomino,

Aweonitspinnaclejiggingheelandtoe.

Lovelaughingintohateandmockery.

Whatshootsthewarptopatternsthatreblend

Andspreadandfade,—andworkingoutwhatend?

Intimeofpainwhybeasvoluble

Asonewhotellsanendlessuselesssum,

Yetsimpleclay,pallidanddeafanddumb

ThroughtheonemomentforgingHeavenorHell?

THELOVER

Irootedsilverstarsfromheaveninshowers,

Rivedadamanttoshowanazuregap,

CapturedtheveryPsycheinmycap,

FilchedfromthesackofTimesixdiamondhours.

Hyperboreaninmycrownofflowers

Iranandleaptthecliffofthunderclap

Plungingthroughgreensea-lightwherebronzefrondswrap

Crumblingpearlpalacesandcoralbowers.

Now—“CouldImove,allhumankindwouldpant

Eventothinksucheffort!Couldmysongs

Cryout,duskedheavenwouldshudderatmywrongs!”

Imoaned,andthenlookedflushedandpalpitant

OnLove’sraptface,thatfrenziedflagellant

Wieldingwithzealtheweltinggoldenthongs.

JUDGMENT

Downthedeepstepsofstonethroughirondoors

Ienteredthatredroomandsawtherack,

AndroundthewallsIsawthemsitinblack,

Theimmutableandurgentcouncillors.

Myheartwasclottedwithanoldremorse,

Despairavulturefastuponmyback.

Isawmybodylikeanemptysack

Tosseddisarticulateongratedfloors.

Butevenawilderwonderatthiscrime

Triedinthedungeonofmyowngrimlife

Woke,asyourmemoryawokewithtune

Thatcrazedtheverywalls.IstaredthroughTime

Liketoamanwhostandswithsmokingknife

Abovehisdead,andseestherisingmoon.

UNFORGOTTEN

Wakeninginthenight,thepainthatslumber

Strikeswithhermaceofsilencedeadanddumb

Loomedovermeand,formless,said,“Icome!

Bringingillusionslostbeyondallnumber.

Rigidyoulie,yetforalittlecumber

Thisflamingworld,wheresomedieproudly,some

Glitterlikegranite,ordreammillenium.”

Itleftmetoiledinmountainouscloudsofumber.

Ilaysustainingalltheoldemotion,

Numbedasbeneaththeblowsofironcars.

Thenslowly,slowlysomesupremedevotion

Creptdown,anddrewmeoutofagelesswars,

Likeadearvoiceheardoverdarkenedocean

Whenalldimheavenistremblingintostars.

THEPALEDANCER

Myheart’sastillshore;allthegoldensailsaregone.

Apale,silverfloorinthehugenessofdawn

Myheartliesoncemore,andthelittleripplesbeat

Thissmall,idletune,likethefallofelves’feet,

“Oh,come,airydancer—comedanceonus,Sweet!”

ShecomeslikeabreezeinthemidnightofMay.

Thetumblingoftheseasmakesatunefaraway.

Shecomeswithclosedeyes,withlightfootstepsshenears,

Andshesingsthelowsongthateachlippingripplehears.

“Inlovethereislaughter,andafter—cometears!”

Shedanceslikethemoonlight—light,languorous,aswoon.

Herfacefloatsuplifted,aflowertothemoon,

Tothemoonpaleinheavenandthedawncomingslow,

Andunderhermeasuretheripplesbreathelow,

“Thedancer,thedancerfromagesago!”

Oh,dancemenomore!Witchingdancerbegone!

Formyheart’sastillshoreinthehugenessofdawn,

Andsomeansweristhrilling,istremblingforme

Intheeeriestillbrightnessofheavenandsea,

Andthelittlerippleswhisper,“Whatthingcanitbe?”

Paledancer,paledancer,atreadwithoutbreath,

Majesticandyearningandbroodingasdeath,

Oh,passionofmyheart,oh,enchanteddespair

ThatglidesbeforeGodlikeabirdfromasnare,

Return,then,returntome,clothemewithcare!—

Butthebeautifuldancerhasvanishedinair.

PREMONITION

(Writteninabsenceandunawareofherdesperatecondition,afew

daysbeforeherdeath.)

ThisisthesongIshallmake.

Lovewithwhitewingbidsitwake.

Lovewithdarkwingbidsitdie.

Trailingtodimness,thefloodofmypassion,

Glitteringtodarkness,thenecklaceIfashion

Tolooponthebreastofthesky!

Ihaveclimbedhigh,evenI,

Followingalightthroughariftintheblue,

Followingasilencethatpiercedlikeacry,

Followingtheimageofyou.

ThisisthesongIwillfashionforyou.

Ohragged-jawed,jagged-toothedDragonofTime,

Whatwillyoudowiththeweftofmyrhyme,

Youwhohavepawedeveryjewelinslime—

You!

No,inthisspacebetweendarknessandlight,

Holinessgleamslikeariftinthenight

HerewhereIstandandcommandthefullheight,

Allofthegloryandgall…

Wrestleandstruggleandsurgefortheheight—

Andfall….

Pain,yourpalehandsareclenchedlooseinmyhair.

Myheavingbreasttoyourbleaknessisbare.

Eachoftheotherasbrothersaware,

Backwardandforwardwestrain.

Whatisthisstruggle,whymydespair,

Pain?

Godissomewhereinthenight.

Listen!Thenightissostill

Godcouldbeheardifhewalkedontheheight

Asamanatnightwillwalkonahill

Lulledbythedarknessanddim.

HeavenisthehillunderHim.

Istherenotglimmeroflightatitsrim?

Pain?Ahthestruggleagain.

Drivethenyourdartsinme,drive!

Pangafterpangofit,Pain.

Woundsthatwillwakemealive.

Listen!Thenightisahive

Ofsoundlikeaswarmingofmyriadbees.

Drivethegolddartsinme,whetthemanddrive,

Pain!Buthisshadowflees.

Whatisthisplain,whosetheseshapesthatconnive

Peace?

Peace?Butyourgarmentissmirched

Withgrimeandthestainofblood!

Peace!WhenIstruggledandsearched,

Ah,whenhaveIunderstood?

Iwhowasbrokenandspent,

Iwhowasbaffled,andmeant

Onlytowrenchmyrelease!

WhoareThosecrouchingbehindyou,sostillandintent,

Peace?

Memories?Whydotheyhaunt?

Lustandvaingloryandpride?

Whatisitnowofmyvictorytheywant?

Whatofyou,Peace,thecrucified?

Thisistheheight.Cantheyscanit?

Thisisnospace-festeringplanet.

Thisisnorackofvaintears!

Evenadream,cantheyclouditandbanit,—

Fears?

Yearsgooverme,cloudmeandcoverme,

Years—hauntedyears.

OnlyonethingIsayoverandover

Underthatcatafalquegloomingtocover

Myshameanddisasterandwraithoffaith.

OnlyonethingIsayoverandover,

Yourname,saidundermybreath.

There,likeastormonthesealine,youhover,

Death!

Ripplesandeddiesandwhirlpoolsoflight

Swirlinglikeveilsonthefaceofthenight.

Downfromtheinfinite,downfromtheheight

Strickenandwhirled,

Sweptlikealeafontheblastofthenight

Backtotheworld!

Breathingbesideme—yourbreath!

Listen!Thenightissostill

GodcouldbeheardifhetalkedwithDeath

Asamanatnightmighttalkonahill

Gentlyandsadtoafriend

Ofthethingswealwaysintend…

NightwithoutendforHim—nightwithoutend…!

ThisisthesongIhavemade

OfthenightwhenIwasafraid,

Ofthenighttoobreathless,toostill,

WhenIlaylikestone—alone—alone,

Howevernearmethelovewekill.

Whatofthelovewekill?

Pridethatdiedanddarknessthatgrew!

ThisisthesongIbegantowreathe…

Ah,butGodremembered,—itisnottrue!

Andyou—youlive,youbreathe!

AFTER

(IntroductoryPoem)

I

OnSundayinthesunlight

Withbrightnessroundherstrown

Andmurmuringbeautyofthesky

Atlastherveryown,

Shewhohadlovedallchildren

Andallhighthingsandclean

Turnedawaytosilentness

Andblissunseen.

Rending,blindinganguish,

Isallamancanknow;

YetstillIkneelbesideher

Forshewouldhaveitso,

Kneelandpraybesideher

Inlightsheleftbehind—

Lightandloveinsilentness,

Sighttotheblind.

Ohlivinglightburnthroughme!

Ohspeak,asspoketome

Herdeepsweeteyesandfaithful,

VoiceonCalvary!

Ohlightbenearandshining,

NearerthanIguess,

Andteachmethattruelanguage

Ofsilentness!

II

IfnowIfallaway

Fromfaith,mayneverday

Shineasitshone

Withinmostsanctities

Ofthosesun-glitteringtrees—

Wetwoalone.

Thedarknesstoilsandheaves.

TheWoodofGlitteringLeaves

Yougave—yougave,

Dearestinlifeanddeath,

Dearestwitheverybreath,

Lampofthebrave!

Youcameinsunlight,still

AsGod,withWhomyourwill

Wasalwaysone.

Youknewme,andyouknew

Ireadyourpresencethrough

Thatsacredsun.

Leagueuponleagueoflight,

Asthetrainracedthenight,

Withnightonme,

Withpainthatgrippedandwrung

Asthecarsclashedandswung,—

Iyetcouldsee

Theslimtreesofthatwood

Brighterthantearsorblood,

Fairywithday;

Thatdarkmarshlandmadebright,

Veiledinmiraculouslight,—

Yourway!

Iholditfast.Ihold

Allthatmysteriousgold,

Allthatitweaves

OfHeaventounderstand—

Ourradiantbridalland

Ofglitteringleaves.

III

Honesthandstohelp,honesteyestosee,

LightthatlivesinGod:

Suchourdearestwas,suchwilleverbe

UnderHeaven.

Nothinginthislifegivestoyouandme

Suchasunlight-shod,

Sunlight-crowneddelightinourmemory

Aswasgiven.

Therewasnotaharmintheseroaringhours

ThatcouldtouchHerhead

PerfectwasHercharmborneagainstthepowers

Gnashingstill.

Inherheartafieldlaughedwithgoldenflowers

WhereHersoulcouldtread.

Swift,serene,shepassedallthatsnarlsandcowers,

Whiteofwill.

Songcangivehernothing.Wewhobravethenight

SayHernameagain

Raiseitlikeacupfullofsacredlight

UptoHeaven.

Nowweknowourpainblinding,burningbright

Intheworldofmen.

Yetweknowourjoy,knowingnowaright

Whatwasgiven.

IV

Baserewardsandglamours,thebeatingtideofhours,

Thecryingandclamorsandthesurgeofsilentpowers

Passmeandpassmenow.SilentlyIgo

Theoneroad,theonlyroadIknow.

Oh,bareandbrightasdreams

Andlacedwithsilverstreams

Liesthelandoneitherhand,pastthedarknessanddread.

Thoughamanmustgriphissoullestitstartfromallcontrol,

Andmustbowhishead.

WhereareyourfootprintsonairthatImayfindthem?

WhereyourradiantgarmentsthatImayhidebehindthem?

No,itismyownroad,straightandblack

Thatturnsnotback.

Iwillsearchtillthedarknesssearsoneitherhand

Withthedriftingsparklesofsomefierybrand,

Ofsomepainthatlightsmenearertothelandofyourendeavor.

Iwillsearchforever.

Thetorrentofthehourslikeaveilveilingheaven,

Thewarwithbitterpowers—Iamgiven.

Butlightthatyouleftme—light,yourowndecision,

Yoursecretandyourvision.

Time?WhatisTimenow.Standingtothethong

Andthedreamthatispassing,timeisnotlong.

AndIshallfindthevalleypastthemountainsthatdefeatme,

Andseeyoucometomeetme.

V

Notallthespoilsyoucast,notallthedarkwasbearing

Indreamacrossthesea,acrossthemurmuroussea;

Notbeautythathaspassedorcrownsthestarswerewearing

Orflamethatfierceandfastthroughdarknesshuntedme;

Notthefrustratedesire,thewebofmemorybroken,

Thesilencewhereyourspeechdizziesthroughalltheair;

Nottheseeludemyreachwhenthedarkhourshavespoken

Asdoesthatpricelesstoken,yoursoulofpassionateprayer.

Ohracethatfalterson,thestrivingandthestricken

Passingwithfruitsandgarlandsanddustuponthehead;

Ohburningsunsetgonewhereinwashopetoquicken

Thesurgeofstarrydawnrisingabovethedead;

Ohclamorovershame,yokeofthelittle-wiser

Ontheunwillingshoulders,clenchedbythequiveringhands;

Patienceandproofthatwereandareyourstillappriser

Nowveilheranddisguiseher,gonefromthespectrallands.

Thespectrallandsoftime,theeternaltorrentpouring

Ofdarkandlightaroundus,whofearbothdarkandlight;

Andgriefthatwailsinrhyme,andfleshthesoulabhorring,

Anddismalpantomineplayedonastagemoon-bright;

Whyshouldsuchthingsastheseassailherhappymeadow,

Creeponthecourtofchildren,comecryingthroughtheshine?

Wewhoaretoounskilledeventotaunttheshadow

Groanonlyinthedarknessandspillthepreciouswine!

Forroundusbeating,beatingherwingsareinthemirror

Ofsleep,themirrorofsilencebuiltupwithperilousbreath.

Andinourconsciencemeetinghersmileisontheterror

Thatchainsusroundwitherroranddesperatefearofdeath;

Kindasachild’ssmallhandsherfaithfulnessisroundus

Withswiftandfadinggestures,wiseasachildiswise;

Outofthegatheringcloudsthatcurtainandconfoundus,

Ecstasyandenchantment—suddenandswift,hereyes!

Thehillsshalllayawaytheirsombrenessunspoken,

Theseasshallhushtheirmurmur,thesaddenedwindbestill,

Whenthelongleagueofsilence‘twixtearthandbeastisbroken

Whenattheendofallthingsthestonesspeakonthehill.

ThenCalvaryshallcrywithgloriousjoytoheaven,

Aceldamabehearkenedandpurgedbywordsaware,—

ForthatindaysgonebyhervoicetoHiswasgiven,

Andtothejoyofheavenhersoulofpassionateprayer.

VI

Ilistenedtothewindwhospeaksoffinding

Amongthelitterofhisblownleavesofdays

Allrainbowgoldoftearsthataresoblinding;

Andthenagainhesays

Somethingofglitteringjewelsinthehaze,

Incenseofpraise,myrtlesandbaysforbinding

Thewoundsthatblossomblooduponhisways.

Ilistenedtothesunwhocanrecover

Miraculousinstantsofanearliertime

SurpriseHereyesalingeronherlover

Andrunlikerhyme

Onleafandstream.Hespokeofdreamandclime

SacredwitheverlastingSpring,ahover

Withlightmorecadencedthanbrightbellsinchime.

Ilistenedtotheearthandsea.Theirvoices,

Toomixedwithmen,camesombrerandmoresad.

Theydronedawhileofallthetangledchoices

Thateverymanhashad,

Andmoanedlikeancientswithmereagegonemad

Andleftmenothingthatreasonsorrejoices—

Thatseemedsoreasonlessinbeingglad.

Ilistenedstarwardwheretheghostlyweaving

OfwanderinglightsisallofHeavenweknow

Andworldsarelampsanddarknesscomesbereaving

Theworldofebbandflow,

And‘tisasifabosomwereheavingslow

Withfirmamentalcare,—ah,heaving,heaving

Withanunfathomableearlierwoe.

“Listeneratmanydoors,—forwhatdisaster?—“

Herspiritmurmurcreptintomyears.

“BrooderonpicturesbreathedonbytheMaster,

Listenattheheartthathears,—

Ah,listensoftly,breathinglow!”Theyears

Werenot—forthereShewas—and,gazingpasther,

IsawtheVisionraisedbybloodandtears.

VII

Fortheeyesloved,

Forthefacelifted

Inthatstilllight,

Darktreesaregroved,

Thesnowdrifted,

Andthemoundwhite.

Andthegravedug

Andthewordsspoken

Andtheflowersshed—

Andtheeyestearless

Buttheheartbroken

Forthebravedead.

Thoughasoulthrill

Tothestars’fire

Andamindsing

Toakeenwill

Ofahighdesire

Andagreatthing,—

Ah,wholistens?

Who—whohearkens

Oranswermakes,—

Thoughthemoonglistens

Andthenightdarkens

Andtheheartbreaks?

Layherswordbyher,

Hersteelofspirit,

Herphantomblade,

Lesttheloudliar

Inhishellinherit

Whathersoulmade!

Sweetsword,shecame

Topierceandquicken

Myhearttograce,—

Oh,whiteflame,

Oh,heartlife-stricken,

Oh,deathlessface!

VIII

Nowthesnowdrives.Theday

Goesoninwhirlinggray.

Stilltheworldroars,

Asifnostrivingflame

Hadgone,asitsuddenlycame,

Passingblinddoors;

Asifnoeyes,nosmile,

Noheartthatcouldbeguile

Evilfromearth,

Hadhoveredjustaspace

Tolightoneholyplace

Inthedarkandthedearth.

Wasitalwaysasfierceandstrange—

Thisblankandsuddenchange

Menhaveknownever?

Thisveilashardandkeen

Asthebladeofaguillotine

Flashingtosever?

Oh,earsthatharkinthenight,

Eyeballsthatstrainforsight,

Pulsesthatknow

Thesamedullburningache,

Thoughamansleep,thoughhewake,—

Wasitalwaysso?

IX

Trueloverunswildandwildlyunderstands.

ItookthebreadofHeavenoncefromyourtwohands.

AndyoureyesareuponmeevenasIsing,

Saying,“Beofcomfort.Deathisalittlething.”

Oh,magicchildandwoman,whocreptintomyheart,

Whoholdmewithstrongarmsfromalltheworldapart—

No,Iwillnotsayit—foryoureyesgrieve;

IwillsayyoudrawusalltoHeaven—yourHeaven,byyour

leave!

LadySimplicitas,whohummedlikeanybee

Littlequaintandoldenrhymestokeepsimplicity,

Ladyofthedowncasteyesandsuddenstarrymirth,

Andeloquencebytorchlightforthewrongedofalltheearth,

Trueloverunswildandwildlyunderstands!

ItookthewineofHeavenoncefromyourtwohands;

Andwhenyoureyesweredarkenedfortheworld’sredsmart

Youmadeaviolettwilightasyoupressedagainstmyheart.

Forthatcoiledhair’sbrowncrown,forthatsweetandseemlyway,

Thestraightthoughts,theeagerwords,thedazzleofyourday,

ShallIturnbasethenandlearntowhineandcurse?

Notthoughdaggersofmemoryflickerthroughthisverse!

Fortrueloverunswildandwildlyunderstands.

Itookthesacramentoflovefromyourtwohands.

SoshallIcrossthesunsethillandclimbthepasturebars

Andmeetyouinourporchatlast,intheVillageoftheStars.

X

OnethingonlyIcansaytoyou

Whateverbethethingsmendo;

LetonelovemakeMaytoyou,

Holdonelovetrue.

Whobuthearsthequerulous

Sighandtheheavygroan,—

Yetstandfortheoneloveperilous,

Thoughyoustandalone.

Yes,andthoughbeatenandbeaten

Bytheravingsoftheblood;

Thoughwithdustandasheseaten,

Beonethingunderstood.

Thebattleinthecloudoverthrowsyou,

Yourlipsaredashedwithfoam,—

Yettheonelovelivesandknowsyou

Andleadsyouhome.

Home—ah,God!—totheslumber

Atlastandthewakingpeace,

Wherewarswithoutnameornumber

Givelastrelease;

Whereherwhisperagainismoretoyou

Thantheangels’flamingwars,

AndproudDeath’shandscanpourtoyou

Thecoldofthestars.

XI

Theselfishnessofgrief!…andyeteachturning

Andquestingaftersomenewbraverelief

Showsothersteelstretchedforthandonmeburning

Theselfishnessofgrief.

TillselfwhowasmyGodandlove,mychief,

Eventheseturnfrommysidewithfootstepsspurning

As,stoopinglow,Ilifttheheavysheaf

Ofourfloweredhoursgatheredwithouryearning,

Gatheredsowildlyinourhappyfief

Andglimmeringbeautifulbeyondbelief,

Withdazingfragrance,tillmydimdiscerning

Seesthemthelegenddroppedformyunlearning

Theselfishnessofgrief!

THELONGABSENCE

I

ACCOSTED

“Ifyousawblueeyesthatcouldlightanddarkle

Withmerrimentorpain;

Ifyousawafacethatwasonlyheart—lonely

Inthecitiesoftheplain;

Ifyoufeltakindnessthatwashappyasthedaybreak,

Patientasnight,

Andsawtheeyesliftand—thedawninMaybreak,

Youhaveseenheraright.

“Blue-cloakedarchangel,reinyoursteedalittle,

Thoughcitiesflame!

Messengerofnight,thoughmywordsarebrittle,

ThoughIknownotyourname,

Thoughyoursteedpawsparklesandyourpinionsquiver

Withcolorslikethesea,

Tellmeifyousawher,ifyousawmyloveever!

Sheislosttome.

“ThatiswhyIwalkthiswindyhighway

Andstopandhark

Andpeerthroughthemoonlight—alwaysmyway!

Andlistenupthedark

Andknucklemyforeheadtorememberhertruly,

TheveryShe;

AndthatiswhyIclingyourreinunduly

Toanswerme!”

Buttheeyesweredeepanddark,thoughsomehowtender.

Hastewasmanifest

Inthegauntlet,thegreaves,theiridsplendor

Thatpulsedonhisbreast.

Hedidnotevengesturetothenightgrownholy,

Butshookhisrein

Ashissteedleaptforth;whileI—turnedslowly

Tothecitiesoftheplain.

II

THEHOUSEATEVENING

Acrosstheschool-grounditwouldstart

Tolightmyeyes,thatyellowgleam,—

Thewindowoftheflamingheart,

Thechimneyofthetossingdream,

ThescuffedandwoodenporchofHeaven,

Thevoicethatcamelikeacaress,

Thewarmkindhandsthatonceweregiven

Mycarelessness.

Itwasahouseyouwouldnotthink

Couldholdsuchsacramentsinthings

Orgivethewildheartmeatanddrink

Orgivethestormysoulhighwings

Orchimesmallvoicestosuchmirth

Orcrownthenightwithstarsandflowers

Ormakeuponthisquakingearth

Suchsteadyhours.

Yet,thatinstormitstoodsecure,

Andinthecoldwaswarmwithlove,

Shallitssimilitudeendure

Pasttrophiesthatmenwearyof,

Whentwowereoutoffortune’sreach,

Buildinggreatempiresroundaname

Andusheringintocasualspeech

Dimworldsaflame.

III

FORTHINKINGEVIL

Forthinkingevilandplanningshame

Thefirelickedupward—atfirstaname,

Thenstar-devouringrebelliousflame.

Thedreadlightlingeredhighonthesky.

Itgrewandreddened—avoicelesscry.

Itspreadandtouchedus,weknewnotwhy.

Andamansatstaringouttothenight,

Throughtendersilence,inwarmlamplight,

Thinkingalways,“Thefireatheight!”

Thatfireblowingwithgrowingroar

Sawusgoing,closingthedoor;

Sawusparted—whomeetnomore.

Forthinkingevil—allmendrawn

Againstadevilthatduskedthedawn.

Eachtohisstation.Allmengone.

Someforthehilltop,firetoitsbrow,—

Death,longtorture,—somefortheplough,—

Someforthesilence—thatIknownow.

IV

TRAVEL

YouandIdreaming

Plannedthefar-away,

Citiesandhedgerows,

Distantsummerday,

When,thesunsinking,—

Butoh,adistantsun!—

Wewouldbethinking,

“Thinkwhatwehavedone!”

YouandIwhispering

Heldtheislesinfee

Byachainofgrasses,

Byyoursmiletome,

Visioningsomeclime—

Butlongyearsbetween—

Whenweshouldsay,sometime,

“Thinkwhatwehaveseen!”

YouandIwondering

Ofouroldage,

Turnedapagepondering,

Andturnedapage…

Now,myhandspluckravelled

StrandsIcan’tuntie.

Yet—youalwaystravelled

FartherthanI!

V

HERWAY

Youlovedthehayinthemeadow,

Flowersatnoon,

Thehighcloud’slongshadow,

HoneyofJune,

Theflamingwoodwaystangled

WithFallonthehill,

Thetoweringnightstar-spangled

Andwinter-still.

Andyoulovedfirelitfaces,

Thehearth,thehome,—

Yourmindongoldentraces,

LondonorRome,—

Onquaintly-coloredspaces

Whereheavensglow

Withhisquaintsaints’embraces,—

Angelico.

Incloisterandhighway

(GoldofGod’sdust!)

Andmanyanelfinbyway

Youputyourtrust,—

Acrockandatable,

Love’sendofday,

Andlightofastoriedstable

Wherekingsmustpray.

Somewherethereisavillage

Foryouandme,

Hayfield,hearthandtillage,—

Wherecanitbe?

Prayerswhenbirdsawake,

Dailybread,

ToilforHissunlitsake

Whoraisedusdead.

Withthisinmindyoumoved

Throughloveandpain.

Hardthoughthelongroadproved,

Youturnedagain

Withaheartthatknewitstrust

Notill-bestowed.

Withthisyoulightthedust

Thatcloudsmyroad.

BYTHECOUNSELOFHERHANDS

“Propterveritatem,etmansuetudinem,etjustitiam:etdeducette

mirabiliterdexteratua.Alleluia.”

Withhercleareyeslifted,

Dreaming,lighting,swiftandquelling

Onalldarknessdrifted

Fromthisearth,avacantdwelling,—

Withherhasteflashing,flowing

Brightaboveallfearorscorning,—

Ihaveseenmydarlinggoing

Upthemountainsofthemorning!

Oh,likeharpswrungthrilling,

Likethoseviolsthatvoicetheiranswer

Tothewildstillwilling

Oftheheavens’necromancer,

Fromtheflowersaroundherrises

Music—gold,moregoldinglory—

Firstofallthosepuresurprises

Attheendingofthestory.

Throughthetreesshepasses

Wherethepurplespreadsinshadow,

Throughthedew-brightgrasses

Ofthatheaven-quietmeadow,

Upthewayofclimbingvines,

Neverfaltering,neverfailing,

Wheretheblueofheavenshines

Throughthesunforonlyveiling.

Flowersandleavestogethersing

Likethosebirdsincloudsthatchoir.

Aching-sweetfromsilverstring,

Purlingfluteandgoldenwire

Musicflowsnomortalknows

EveninAprilthrongedwithvoices.

Deeperglorythrobsandglows

Tillthetremblingairrejoices.

Sweetanddeep,sweetanddeep

Intheheartdarkandaching,

Glamorouswavesacrossmysleep

Isthattideofsplendorbreaking.

Pureandhigh,pureandhigh,

Shakingeverystartochiming,

Tillthewonder-strickensky

Thrillsandtremblestotherhyming!

Seraphimandcherubim

Ontheirwings’immaculatewonder

Riseinwhirlwindsfromthedim,

Passthroughvoidsofrollingthunder,

Mountfromlightningintolight,

Onegreatsurgeofpraiseawaking,

Whiteandwhiteintotheheight—

Andthemusictrembling—breaking—!

Butabovethewoodoffear,

Ononewhiteroadforever,

Fromthedarknessmountsmydear

Inherstillandbrightendeavor,

Withherkindbraveeyes,

Honesthandsandheartofhealing,—

Lipsthatrapturouslysurmise—

Littlesmilesuponthemstealing.

For—aviolettwilightnow

Spreads—asarmshadcastashadow

AndtheGodheadstoopedtobow

Overphantomhillandmeadow!

And—again—afield

Floatsbeforeher—asherchoiceis—

Whereherheavenisrevealed

Inthosesmallandripplingvoices.

Elfinflowersinvokedalive,

Fairycloudsfromhivesofhoney

Likenoangryhumanhive,

Billowsofbrightnessswiftandsunny,

Pattering,chuckling,pantinghaste,

Rosy-shy—thoughneversweeter

Thanthethreeherarmsembraced—

Heaven’schildrenflocktomeether!

ThereareharpsinHeaven

Thatmustfailagainstthatsplendor;

AndtheSacredSeven

Bowtheirheadsinmutesurrender.

HolyMotherofGod,tonight

Bendyourstar-brighteyesandbrimming

Onthesweetnessofthatsight

Inthatmeadow,duskanddimming!

For,withhandsingraspsosmall

Ofthetumblingonesthatfollow,—

Withhersmileuponthemall,

Upthehillandthroughthehollow,—

Withthatrichvoicecrooning,waking

Sparklinggustsofjoyandlaughter,—

ClimbstheLightofmyforsaking,

MountstheHopeofmyhereafter!

Harshestsong,bowdown!

Mutinouswords!—tomakeimmortal

Howtheheavensinstarlightdrown

AssheentersinthePortal,

HowtheHeavenlyCityglows,

Howthebellscry,“Wehavefoundher!”

Asthroughtearsandpraiseshegoes

Withthechildrencrowdingroundher!

STRENGTHBEYONDSTRENGTH

“Ifthouhastrunwiththefootmenandtheyhave

weariedthee,whatwiltthoudowiththehorsemen?”

Breathless,beatenaswithwhipsofwonder,

Scourgedandnakedtotheflyingsky,—

YethaveIheardthehoofsofthunder,

Seenthehorsemenglimmeringby.

Headback,teethbared,eyesaglitter,

Questioningstilltheblackreply,

Laboringstrideandbreathgrownbitter—

Phantomhorsemenswervingby!

Footontheflintandburning,parching

Deathatthethroat,withgalltotaste.

Rankonrankarethefootmenmarching,

Waveonwavedothefootmenhaste!

Pastandpastmetoiledandslowing,

Gaspingbreathingandstraininglimb,—

Rankonrankarethefootmengoing

Forwardtofogandthedistancedim.

Sledgeonthebrainandhugehandscrushing

Hardonmyheartthattheywringatwill.

Waveonwavearethefootmenrushing,

Surginginsilenceacrossthehill.

Suddenlitroadtheyruntogether

Justastheclovenmist-wreathsclose!

Each,eachstrivesbyastirrup-leather

Wheresomeglimmeringhorsemangoes!

Ironinsinew,steelpersuasion

Nowoftheweakandsobbingwill;

Scornthatbeatsontheoldevasion;

Limbsthatmoveforthefurtherhill.

Teethclenchedhardonanexecration,

Chinsunkdeeponalaboringchest—

Racingdeathwitharevelation,

Deadanddonewith—butforgingabreast,

Forgingpastthemandpast,andgaining

Onceagaintomyhard-foughtplace.

LordofRunners,requitemyfeigning!

Helpmeonlytorunthisrace!

Head-down,plungedthroughtheroilingweather,

Flingingthesweatfromastrainingbrow,—

Now,Irunbyyourstirrup-leather.

GoldenHorseman,Iseeyounow!

QUESAIS-JE?

IfIcouldanswerthatsobofthebravelittleheart,

IfIcouldanswerthatsilenceIsuddenlyfear,

IfIcouldgivehimtruththatwouldsetthisapart

Fromcreepingquestion,mydear,

Therewouldbegroundforourfeet,skyforoureyes,

Atleast,atworst.AllIcanwhisperisdreams

AndfaithIhold,beingdoubtfulofallthings“wise”

Andalltheoutragethatseems.

Weareyourboystotheend,thatisallIknow.

Ithestrongerasyet,butknowingnomore

ForallmyyearsthanIguessedatyearsago

Andsearchedthroughwearylore.

IthoughttheyknewwhowereolderandwiserthanI.

Isawthemconfident,grave,withtheiranswersswift.

TillIstoodinturnattheedgeofearthandsky

Andsawtheplanetsadrift,

Andfeltmyheartstrugglingandstrivingforrest

Andmybaffledmindgropingandyearningforpeace

Insomegreatansweroronsomeinfinitebreast

Oflastcompleterelease.

AndnowIturnhismindtofancifulthings

Andgriphimcloseandhoarselymurmurmylove

Andprayawayfromhimallthispainthatclings

TothismindIamwearyof.

Oh,Iwillteachhimasbestamancanteach

AndstrivetofindhimallknowledgeofyouIhold

Andmakeyouneartohimevenwhenoutofreach

Ofmytreacherousheartandcold.

ForthoughIcannotseethereismoretobeseen,

AndwhatIcannotknowisinpresciences,

Andallyouareisasithaseverbeen

Betweenmyheartandhis.

EBB-TIDE

Youwhowereneverafraidoftruthordoubt,

Onlysaying“Thelightinthesoulisreal,

Thespiritofgraceistrue,thelampisnotputout.”

Imustfollowforeveryourwhiteideal.

Splendoramidthesmokeandthedustandvapor,

Truththroughthelitterofliesandrubbleofdreams,

Mutableyetimmutable;changed,andtheshaper

Ofallthatlightinthemindthatsteadilygleams!

So—wordsfail,andruntoironiclength;

Likepantingbreaththephrasesquiverandfade.

Andtheheartunthought-ofthrobsitsappallingstrength—

Tireless—tillittoointhedustislaid.

Butsomethinglives—saythereissomethinglives!

Ourpassionitis,allofourwilltobe—

Somethinginmenlikearoutoffugitives

Hurryingontheshoreofaphantomsea,

Hurrying,wailing,questing,seeingthemoon

Lightthatwasteofbeautyandterrorandplangentsound;

Knowingthetidecreepson,andthatsoon,toosoon,

Allofthetorchesandalloftheflowersliedrowned

Yetthatthatseamovesnotofitsmovementonly,

Allofthedimvastforceismotesthatblend,

Eachstillstrivingandstillsecureandlonely

Untosomeend,somegreatmysteriousend.

Youwhowereneverafraidoftruthordoubt—

Grantedthattruthweknow!—oh,eyesofmine,

Eyesinmysoulthatwillneverglimmerout,—

Thisismysoul’sebb-tide,butImaketheSign!

COWARD

Byherbeautystayed,byherloveempowered,

(Coward!Coward!)

Takethehonestlightandprayforgrace.

Whereherlightningstruck,whereherpurenessflowered,

(Coward!Coward!)

Daretoseeherface.

Throughtheseaoflies—skieshavealwayslowered!—

(Coward!Coward!)

Besheyourhorizonoryourmist,

Makestraighton,thoughdawnbestillundowered,

(Coward!Coward!)

Towardthetimelesstryst.

Onethingnowyouknowfortruthatleast,

Onethingmorethangroanofwitlessbeast,

Onethingmorethanjestatmummingfeast,

Painisstillincreased,increased,increased

MarkinglifelikemilestonestowardLove’sEast.

AQUILIFER

AxandbundledrodsletCæsar’shenchmenbear,

Downtothehouseofsodsprocessionaltorchmenpass,—

Whenwasyourpartwiththese,armedthought’saquilifer,

Turningwithstreamingstandardwherethebarbariansmass!

Cæsar’sscreamingeaglesblackasHell’svulturesflew,

Butbirdswentupourdawningsplendidandwingandwing

Andbrightfortheslavesandcaptivesyourfearlessbannerblew

Andlaughing-gladasatrumpetthefaithyoustillcouldsing.

Oldastheworldisevilanddisenchantmentold.

Man’sancientheartisbitter,hishardeyesdoubtofasign.

Blownhairbeneaththatbannerthatfloatedinfoldsofgold,

InspiritIseeyoustandingfirstinthebattle-line.

Kind,andagirl,andlittle,butwiserthanalltheirsneers;

Truerthantheirpredictions,daringtobenotbase;

DaringtoridefortheCaptainwhoheldthroughbloodandtears

Lifewelllostforjusticeandloveacclaimedtotherace.

Stillwithshiftingandturning,withmindsandthewaysofswine,

EarthisgirdedbyCæsar’smen,lifeastaginasnare,—

Yetstill—yourbannerburningfirstinthebattle-line,

Aye,andthetrumpetsblowingfordawning,Aquilifer!

THEWOMAN

Youcouldhurtandyoucouldheal,

Youcouldhideandstillreveal,

Youwerelilies,liliesandsteel.

Youthenearandyouthefar

Wereaslamplightandastar.

Icannottellthemwhatyouwere;

Yet,Death,youhavenotallofher.

No,I,thepassionatenondescript,

Havewineyourlipshaveneversipped,

Havewineofherinmyheart’sblood

WhomIneverunderstood.

Youweretenderandbenign,

Trusting—andallfiredivine

Andaconstellation’ssign.

Youthefarandyouthenear,

Youheavenhighandheavenhere,

Youthequest,andclosestdear.

Ah,God,youhavenotallofher,

Forstillmycauseshecanprefer

Whereshegoes,andwhereYouwere.

Youcouldweepandyoucouldrise

WiththeWordclearinyoureyes,

Withastrengthbeyondthewise.

Girlandgoddess,willandlove,

Struggling,battling,wingedabove

MemoriesIhavememoryof!

PERVIGILIUM

Oh,notinwords—forwhatarewordstoseeing;

Yetnotinsight,forpresenceveilsandhides;

Noteveninsleep,thoughthenthegatesofbeing

Standopentothelargeeternaltides;

Neitherinmemory,embersfadingashen;

Norbythecode,whereinthevoiceisdumb;

Norwildstilllove,flutteredbyveilsofpassion,

RisesummitbysummittoJaniculum!

Thinknottospeakandtelltheriddlingpurport;

Thinknotthatsightofbeautycaughtthebest;

Noranydreamfurlsitsdimsailsinherport;

Noranymemorymakeshermanifest;

Norbyameasureofdaysmeteouthermeasure,

Northroughrememberedpoignancepluckherstrings.

Forshe,likemoonlightonsomehiddentreasure,

Stealsglimmeringdownandrendersvainthesethings.

ThenIcried,“Love!”—butstarsnotevenshrinking

Glitteredthesameandnightremainedthesame.

SlowlyIswamondarktidesofmythinking,

Yetlikenomoonsherosetohearhername.

Ilaylikesandunrimmedofseaandcrisping

Underdeadsunlight,parchedasbleachingbone,

Tillallseasshrankanddried,andthelastlisping

Ofbeadedwatervanishedfromthestone.

Thenjaggedlightningforked,thethundershattered

Likestunningguns.Amainthetreeswereblown

Andshriekedandwrithedandwhirledtheirbranchestattered

Likepatriarchswakingtosomeendlong-known,—

Allmyheart’sstorm—assaultandwildrepulsion—

Andhissingsand-coilsswayinghighanddim—

Flashblinding-bright!Andthroughthatlastrevulsion

Isawherpassingonthedesert’srim.

TIMEWAS

Timewaswhenyouwouldenter

ThatdoorandIwouldbe

Nolongerinthedarkness

Uponthesea,

Sailingthroughloweringtempest

Ofthoughtswithinthebrain….

Ifthatcouldbeso

Everagain….

Timewaswhenyourslightgesture

Wouldbidthefairiesdance

Andmaketheworldatwilight

Ofwoodlandtrance,

Andwakeoldachingmusic

Allhoneythroughitspain….

Ifthatcouldbeso

Everagain….

TimewaswhenIwouldfloutyou

Withcleversomethingsaid—

Andcouldnotlivewithoutyou

Whenyouturnedyourhead.

Withmeyouwalkedthesunlight,

Withmeyouwalkedtherain….

Ifthatcouldbeso

Everagain….

THEMASTERS

Twowithgreathearts,deeplyyouprovedthem.

Laughingyoulovedthem,childlikeyousaid,

“Oh,butthisisthepart—!”AlmostIreprovedthem

Drawingyoufromme,mindslongdead.

Yetforeveryourvoice,wraiththatwasrapture!

Whatgreat-souledspacesthewhileyouread

Joy—pain—mirth—allIwouldcapture,—

DickensandBrowning—yourbendedhead…

HeavenoflamplightIlongforlonely

Whereallthefolkoftheirfancytread;

Threesmallfaces,andmine,—andonly

DickensandBrowning—yourbendedhead!

WHEN

Itiswhenthetreeshavesuchradiantflowers,

Suchwhiteandrosyshowers,

Suchfragrantwhispering,—

Itiswhenthesunlightssuchmellow,yellowhours,—

ForloverslovetheSpring!

Itiswhenthemoonissopaleanddrifting,

Blossomssoftlysifting

Fromthevinesthatclimbandcling,

Thatmyheartwillstoptohearlove’slaughterlifting,—


Itiswhenthelongevenings,theirhazeofvioletwearing,

Holdthepassingvoicesasonmusic’sthrobbingstring,

BysomevagueopenwindowIshallsitlongstaring,—


CHILDREN

Children,weplayedatgames—yourlaughterstillisroundme.

Children,wecalledeachother’snames.Ihid—youfoundme.

Children,wewentinsearchofdeath,andcamebackoften.

Children,weprayedwithequalbreath—notimecansoften!

Children,Ilovedyourprettylooks,youreyebrowlifted.

Children,wewanderedstory-booksandstar-dustsifted.

Children,wepluckedamazingflowersinawalledgarden.

Children,wedreamedthroughhealinghours—notimecanharden!

THERETREAT

Somesunnyclosehunghigh

Indepthsofsky,

Vividpresentmentofyourolddesire;

Nomultitudes,butpeace

Andtherelease

Fromdaysandnightsthatarebutpitchandfire.

Somesimplegarden,old

Graywallsthatfold

Itsfragrancein,andoneslowsoftenedbell;

ThewaitedFace,thelight

Andinnersight

Andthegoodvoicesthatyouheardsowell.

Theremayyouquaintlymove,—

YouwhomIlove,—

Sometimes,evennow,andmakeretreatatlast

Withthetruthknownandrest

Mademanifest

Andallthemeaningofthehurriedpast.

AndmayIfindyouthere

Whenthestillair

HoldsyetthethrillingofHiseveningsmile,

Andstandwithinthegate

Andwatchandwait,

Till,fromyourprayer,youturnafterawhile

Toseemestainedandtorn

Andtravel-worn

Butyetwithallmyloveofyouheldfast;

Andwonder“Isithe?”andknowitis—

Allmysteries

Beingoutdonebythismysteriouslast.

Andastheeveningglows

Inthrobbingrose

Mayyouliftyourarmsthen,liftyourheadandcry

“Come!”—andyetsleepnotwake

Nordreamingbreak—

Butlightforeverfoldus,youandI.

SEALED

Manhasbeenfamed

Timeoutofmind

Forhavinggonelamed

Ordeaforblind

Orweighteddown

Withloadsthatbind.

Andeyeandear

Nowcurtainedare

Toseeorhear

Rhymeinastar

Sinceyou,mydear,

Havegonesofar.

Andlimbsthatgo

Andlipsthatspeak

Arenottoknow

Thatwhichtheyseek….

DoesTimejestso

Inamadman’sfreak?

No,Timejestsnot,

NorhaveIguessed

Whathasovershot

Allbitterjest

SincefirstMangot

Fate’smanifest.

Coldeyesaverse

Andstonybrows

Andtheoldcurse

OnAdam’shouse

Despite,myverse

Thistruthallows:

Aclearlighthidden,

Atowerofair,

Avoiceunbidden,

Asecretstair,

Anddreamlong-chidden

Thatmakesaware

Thoughtofatime—

Whoshallsayhow?

Oh,burnishedgrime,

Star-studdedplough,

Commoncoinofrhyme

Ringinggoldennow!

THEEND

Perpetual Light

Documents