AMPHORA 
V 
 
 
HE earth is dark, save where desires 
Exhale their black and bitter fires. 
Save for Thy sorrow, heaven is bright 
With cool and soft celestial light. 
 
But gazing deeper as we dare 
By virtue of retreat and prayer, 
Of fasting and of vigilance, 
We pierce beyond to brilliance. 
 
For all the blessed blood that poured 
Out of Thine heart at sorrow’s sword 
Is borne in GOD’s cherubic cars 
About the sky to make us stars. 
 
We in the world of woe who stray 
Lift up our hearts to Thee and pray : 
Turn all our pain to virgin might, 
And all our sorrow into light ! 
Amen. 
T 
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