Possession's Anguish

One tree in my garden, one tree

Out of all the forests of the world:

One little ship afloat upon the sea,

One shell beneath the waves, flawless and pearled:

One rose on my bower, one rose

For a day to scatter on the grass:

One shifting star agleam where the wind blows,

One gem upheld, that all may share who pass:

One heart to be ached for, one heart

Out of all the bosoms that are here:

One fragile hope alive, the starver's part,

One joy already faint and pale with fear:

One flame in the darkness, one flame

For the night to sever with a breath:

One poor faith fettered to a mortal name —

And over all, the beating wings of death....