The Equinox (Volume I, Number VI)

THE RITE OF SOL Its love beneath the fronds ; reply to strife With strife, and all its tiny being crumble Under my rough and warrior husband-kiss, Whose pain shall burn, and alter, and be bliss! I am: no word beside that solemn one Reigns in sound’s kingdom to express my station, Who, clothed and crowned with suns beyond the sun, Bear on the mighty breast of foam Thalassian, Bear on my bosom, jutting plenilune, Maiden, the fadeless Rose of the Creation ! The whole flower-life of earth and sky and sea From me was born, and shall return to me! I am: for men and beings passionate, For mine own self calm as the river-cleaving Lotus—barne lord of Silence: I create Or discreate, both in my bosom heaving : My lightest look is mother ofa Fate: My fingers sapphire-ringed with sky are weaving Ever new flowers and lawns of life, designed Nobler and newer in mine older mind, I am: I am not, but all-changing move The worlds evolving in a golden ladder, Spiral or helical, fresh gusts of love Filling one sphere from the last sphere grown gladder; All gateways leading far to the above. Even as the bright coils of the emerald adder Climb one by one in glory of sunlight, climb My children to me up the steep of Time. I am : before me all the years are dead, And all the fiery locks of sunrise woven Into the gold and scarlet of my head : In me all skies and seas are shaken and eleven : All life and light and love about me shed, Begotten in me, in my moving moven, Are as my tears : all worlds that ever swam As dew of kisses on my lips: I am. 77