In the getting, my bones get cracked
Once I'm past the gentle slant
Of Delphi's lower slopes.
It's soon like scaling steeples
At Jacob's stride to gain the stair,
And my whole self is cleaved on rock
Despite the staff I need to walk.
But this stone is needed too
If I'm to have an earth to walk.
Here overhead a hoary sky
Contrasts with the winter trees,
The black bark scratched against the height.
All morning fog's obscured the mountain
Lest I should see some god alight.
And like some beautific vision
Breathed through rock by Truth's own mouth,
I glimpse you in empyrean.
Once the sun's burned mist away,
We'll still be fathoming just how
On this summit of shade and shadow
So many trees can share one eye,
Yet only we can share our lives.
But I wake up. I always do
When words have carried me to sleep.
And snowlet specks fall on the page
And cry old letters gray on gray.
The mount waits with a prophet's patience.
Hope can bid the sun to stay
While Lily grows to haste the day.
