[As once the winged energy of delight]

As once the winged energy of delight
carried you over childhood's dark abysses,
now beyond your own life build the great
arch of unimagined bridges.
Wonders happen if we can succeed
in passing through the harshest danger;
but only in a bright and purely granted
achievement can we realize the wonder.
To work with Things in the indescribable
relationship is not too hard for us;
the pattern grows more intricate and subtle,
and being swept along is not enough.
Take your practiced powers and stretch them out
until they span the chasm between two
contradictions...For the god
wants to know himself in you.

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Along the sun-drenched roadside, from the greathollow half-treetrunk, which for generationshas been a trough, renewing in itselfan inch or two of rain, I satisfymy thirst: taking the water's pristine coolnessinto my whole body through my wrists.Drinking would be too powerful, too clear;but this unhurried gesture of restraintfills my whole consciousness with shining water.Thus, if you came, I could be satisfiedto let my hand rest lightly, for a moment,lightly, upon your shoulder or your breast