(5) THE SENTENTIOUS MAN

 

1 (a) Spirit and nature beat in one breast-bone — I saw a virgin writhing in the dirt — The serpent’s heart sustains the loveless stone: My indirection found direction out.

(b) Pride in fine lineaments precedes a fall; True lechers love the flesh, and that is all.

2 (a) We did not fly the flesh, who does, when young? A fire leaps on itself: I know that flame. Some rage save us — Did I rage too long? The spirit knows the flesh it must consume.

(b) The dream’s an instant that calls up her face. She changed me ice to fire, and fire to ice.

3 (a) Small waves repeat the mind’s slow sensual play. I stay alive, both in and out of time, By listening to the spirit’s smallest cry; In the long night, I rest within her name —

(b) As if a lion knelt to kiss a rose, Astonished into passionate repose.

4 (a) Though all’s in motion, who is passing by? The after-image never stays the same. There was a thicket where I went to die, And there I thrashed, my thighs and face aflame.

(b) But my last motion changed into a song, And all dimensions quivered to are thing.

5 (a) An incantation takes the outside life: I can delight in my own hardihood, With the same absent gaze: I know her careless ways! — Desire hides from desire. Ayas, I sometimes weep, Yet still laughin’ my sleep.

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