RECOGNITION

Like the twilight blowing over sunset water

Under high holy hills purple-mirrored in a mere,

Quietly and smiling, my dear love brought her

Heart to my heart, and through the dusk drew near;

Drew to me near, drew my brows up to the tender

Caress of her hands. And I lifted up my eyes

To hers, and deep within them saw a silent splendor

More still, more strange than the planets’ in the skies.

Each gazed on each. O what is mortal seeing

To the glory of that depth, to the glory of that height

Through veils revealed, when all the gates of being

Burst open to a torrent of such blinding light!

Yes, and here I stand warped by life's derision,

A mountebank grimacing lest at last I weep.

What man could tell that I had ever seen a vision

More wonderful than any on the steeps of sleep?

Days come, days go, as the clock ticks hours.

Years loom, years pass; the shadows rise....

Like the twilight breathing over holy flowers

Once my love drew near. And I lifted up my eyes....