V

In eons of the senses, My spirit knew of yore, I found the Isle of Circe And felt her magic lore; And still the soul remembers What I was once before.

She gave me flowers to smell of That wizard branches bore, Of weird and wondrous beauty, Whose stems dripped human gore-- Their scent when I remember I know that world once more.

She gave me fruits to eat of That grew beside the shore, Of necromantic ripeness, With human flesh at core-- Their taste when I remember I know that life once more.

And then, behold! a serpent, That glides my face before, With eyes of tears and fire That glare me o'er and o'er-- I look into its eyeballs, And know myself once more.