Invocation
by CONRAD AIKEN
COMES towards me slowly the shadow’s gift,
divine projection of human heart,
rainbow beyond the rainbow’s dream
yet of my self and soul a part,
divine projection of human heart,
rainbow beyond the rainbow’s dream
yet of my self and soul a part,
speaks from the cloud in words unknown
yet somehow known and understood,
shafts of the morning, shifts of light,
the word and words and Word of blood.
yet somehow known and understood,
shafts of the morning, shifts of light,
the word and words and Word of blood.
O love that in the fern unfolds
or in the snowflake ferns a shape,
stems a flower, stars a stream,
and in the dream brings home escape,
or in the snowflake ferns a shape,
stems a flower, stars a stream,
and in the dream brings home escape,
come lightly now, and in my arms
bring back the love I sent away,
but human made, and one I know,
and on my bed to stretch and stay.
bring back the love I sent away,
but human made, and one I know,
and on my bed to stretch and stay.