Post on 11-Sep-2021
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,—
Throughtheblackforest
Thatismyheart!
Beautiful,silver-heeled,
Swiftaswind,
Toppingthebrake
Likeaflyinghind!
Ihaveabugle
Ofivory
Thewizardoftwilight
Gavetome.
Ihearitwindinginmyheart,
Intheblackforest,whereyoustart.
AndIknow,
Likehuntsmeningoldandgreen,
Thatmythoughtsspurpast
Whereyouhavebeen,
And,likehoundsthathaveslippedtheleash,
Theyrace,—
Bell-tonguedbrachets
Uponyourtrace.
Throughtheblackforest
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,—
ForloverslovetheSpring!
Itiswhenthelongevenings,theirhazeofvioletwearing,
Holdthepassingvoicesasonmusic’sthrobbingstring,
BysomevagueopenwindowIshallsitlongstaring,—
ForloverslovetheSpring!
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