Just as I came <br />Into the empty, westward--facing room, <br />A sudden gust blew wide <br />The tall window; at once <br />A shock of sudden light, vibrating like a flame, <br />Entered, as if it were the wind's bright spirit <br />Stealing to me upon some secret quest. <br />The wonder of the West <br />Burst open: under dark and rushing cloud <br />That rained illumined drops, it glorified <br />Each corner where so dazzlingly it struck: <br />The shadows cowered, the brilliance overflowed. <br />As suddenly, all faded. <br />Wet, wild air blew in <br />At the idly--swinging door <br />Stormily crumpled fallen shreds of leaves, <br />Dried scarlet and burnt yellow and ashy brown: <br />They fluttered in like fears and blew across the floor <br />And I, to the heart invaded, <br />Felt as that wild light palpitated through me <br />And died in a moment down, <br />Exalted by a visionary fear <br />That from the light more than the shadow fell; <br />A divination of splendid spirits near, <br />Of glorious parting and of great farewell.<br /><br />Robert Laurence Binyon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/going-west-2/
