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.’