Poems, 1957–1967

INTO THE STONE

INTO THE STONE On the way to a woman, I give My heart all the way into moonlight. Now down from all sides it is beating. The moon turns around in the fix If its light; its other side totally shines. Like the dead, I have newly arisen, Amazed by the light I can throw. Stand waiting, my love, where you are, For slowly amazed I come forward From my bed through the land between, Through the stone held in air by my heartbeat. My thin flesh is shed by my shadow; My hair has turned white with a thought. No thing that shall die as I step May fall, or not sing of rebirth. Very far from myself I come toward you In the fire of the sun, dead-locked With the moon's new face in its glory. I seeby the dark side of light. I am he who I should have become. A bird that has died overhead Sings a song to sustain him forever. Elsewhere I have dreamed of my birth, And come from my death as I dreamed; Each time, the moon has burned backward. Each time, my heart has gone from me And shaken the sun from the moonlight. Each time, a woman has called, And my breath come to life in her singing. Once more I come home from my ghost. I give up my father and mother; My own love has raised up my limbs: Into the Stone 4 7 I take my deep heart from the air. The road like a woman is singing. It sings with what makes my heart beat In the air, and the moon turn around. The dead have their chance in my body. The stars are drawn into their myths. I bear nothing but moonlight upon me. I am known; I know my love. 48 ...