The shadow streamed into the wall- <br />The wall, break-shadow in the blast; <br />We lingered wordless while a tall <br />Shade enclouded the shadow's cast. <br /> <br />The torrent of the reaching shade <br />Broke shadow into all its parts, <br />What then had been of shadow made <br />Found exigence in fits and starts <br /> <br />Where nothing properly had name <br />Save that still element the air, <br />Burnt sea of universal frame <br />In which impounded now we were: <br /> <br />I took her hand, I shut her eyes <br />And all her shadow cleft with shade, <br />Shadow was crushed beyond disguise <br />But, being fear, was unafraid. <br /> <br />I asked fair shadow at my side: <br />What more shall fiery shade require? <br />We lay long in the immense tide <br />Of shade and shadowy desire <br /> <br />And saw the dusk assail the wall, <br />The black surge, mounting, crash the stone! <br />Companion of this lust, we fall, <br />I said, lest we should die alone.<br /><br />Allen Tate<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/shadow-and-shade/
