Inmost One

Brilliant and lone she sat Upon eternal height And veiled her face about. She was in fear of sin, She was in fear of deadly night, I saw her eyes peer out.

I saw her eyes peer out And knew she was divine, But oh, her stedfast, dreadful gaze And her importunate doubt. She did not make me word or sign Or turn away her face.

She did not make word or sign, But as she watched me err Her eyes grew cold like the dark star And her body ceased to shine. I could not breathe for the breath of her Was frost of Winter and fire of war.

Her body ceased to shine. I dare not let her die. I opened my heart to the sun And I breathed her breath for mine. Behold, that Inmost One was I, And I was the inmost one.

I opened my heart to the sun. O colour and line, and birth Of wonder and word and light! Through love and her I have won The earth within the earth And the sight that is more than sight.

O colour and line and birth, Birth of an order new, Of a life that is more than my own ... Birth that is your birth ... Birth in me of you O God, brilliant and lone!