Stirred by a conflict to shining
Casting a shadow of scorn upon me for my share in death; but I
Hold my own in the midst of them, darkling, defy
The whole of the day to extinguish the shadow I lift on the breeze.
Enjoying their glancing flight, though my love is dead,
I still am not homeless here, I’ve a tent by day
Of darkness where she sleeps on her perfect bed.
Which vibrates untouched and virile through the grandeur of night,
But which, when dawn crows challenge, assaulting the vivid motes
Of living darkness, bursts fretfully, and is bright:
Stirred by conflict to shining, which else
Were dark and whole with the night.
Which else were aslumber along with the whole
Of the dark, swinging rhythmic instead of a-reel.
Which else were a silent grasp that held the heavens
Arrested, beating thick with wonder.
In a jet from out of obscurity,
Which erst was darkness sleeping.
Water and stones and stars, and myriads
Of twin-blue eyes, and crops
All lovely hosts of ripples caused by fretting
The Darkness into play.
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