I was among multitudes of children <br />Dancing at the foot of a mountain. <br />A breeze blew out of the east and swept them as leaves, <br />Driving some up the slopes.... All was changed. <br />Here were flying lights, and mystic moons, and dream-music. <br />A cloud fell upon us. When it lifted all was changed. <br />I was now amid multitudes who were wrangling. <br />Then a figure in shimmering gold, and one with a trumpet, <br />And one with a sceptre stood before me. <br />They mocked me and danced a rigadoon and vanished.... <br />All was changed again. Out of a bower of poppies <br />A woman bared her breasts and lifted her open mouth to mine. <br />I kissed her. The taste of her lips was like salt. <br />She left blood on my lips. I fell exhausted. <br />I arose and ascended higher, but a mist as from an iceberg <br />Clouded my steps. I was cold and in pain. <br />Then the sun streamed on me again, <br />And I saw the mists below me hiding all below them. <br />And I, bent over my staff, knew myself <br />Silhouetted against the snow. And above me <br />Was the soundless air, pierced by a cone of ice, <br />Over which hung a solitary star! <br />A shudder of ecstasy, a shudder of fear <br />Ran through me. But I could not return to the slopes -- <br />Nay, I wished not to return. <br />For the spent waves of the symphony of freedom <br />Lapped the ethereal cliffs about me. <br />Therefore I climbed to the pinnacle. <br />I flung away my staff. <br />I touched that star <br />With my outstretched hand. <br />I vanished utterly. <br />For the mountain delivers to Infinite Truth <br />Whosoever touches the star!<br /><br />Edgar Lee Masters<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/elijah-browning/
