XIII
Renunciation
There came a day at summer’s fullEntirely for me;I thought that such were for the saints,Where revelations be.
The sun, as common, went abroad,The flowers, accustomed, blew,As if no soul the solstice passedThat maketh all things new.
The time was scarce profaned by speech;The symbol of a wordWas needless, as at sacramentThe wardrobe of our Lord.
Each was to each the sealed church,Permitted to commune this time,Lest we too awkward showAt supper of the Lamb.
The hours slid fast, as hours will,Clutched tight by greedy hands;So faces on two decks look back,Bound to opposing lands.
And so, when all the time had failed,Without external sound,Each bound the other’s crucifix,We gave no other bond.
Sufficient troth that we shall rise—Deposed, at length, the grave—To that new marriage, justifiedThrough Calvaries of Love!