Oracles

ASSUMPTA CANIDIA 95 The legend, “ Here is beauty, here delight, Here the embraces of the Sons of Night ! Here love made more desirable than thine, Fiercer than light, more dolorous than wine. Come, sister, come ; come, lonely queen of breath ! Here are the lustres and the flames of death.” Hence I was whirled, as in a wind of light, Out to the fragrance of a loftier air, A keener scent, and rising unaware Out of the Palace of Luxurious Night, I came to where the Gate of Heaven shone, Battled with comet and with meteor. Behold within that crested House of War, One central glory of a sapphire stone, Whereon there breathed a sense, a mist, a sun ! I stood and laughed upon the Ancient One. For He was silent as my body’s kiss, And sleeping as my many-coloured hair, And living as my eyes and lips ; and where The vast creation round him cried “ He Is ! ”, No murmur reached Him ; He was set alone, Alone and central. And my eyes were dim; I worshipped even ; for I envied Him. So, moving upward to the azure throne, I spread my arms unto that ambient mist ; Lifted my life and soul up to be kissed !