Femina Contra Mundum

The sun was black with judgment, and the moon

           Blood: but between

I saw a man stand, saying: 'To me at least

           The grass is green.

'There was no star that I forgot to fear

           With love and wonder.

The birds have loved me'; but no answer came —

           Only the thunder.

Once more the man stood, saying: 'A cottage door,

           Wherethrough I gazed

That instant as I turned — yea, I am vile;

           Yet my eyes blazed.

'For I had weighed the mountains in a balance,

           And the skies in a scale,

I come to sell the stars — old lamps for new —

           Old stars for sale.'

Then a calm voice fell all the thunder through,

           A tone less rough:

'Thou hast begun to love one of my works

           Almost enough.'