Saturday, August 16, 2008

playing with a villanelle

As I stand inside the pyre
let me not shrink from these flames,
which round me lap up, higher and higher -

There is nothing more I can aspire,
No greater hope, no dearer claims
As I stand inside the pyre

Than that of sanctity entire
while dross burns amidst false blames
which round me lap up, higher and higher,

til all at last is purged, inspire
and I, in Love's pure holiness, re-names
As I stand inside the pyre.

I flinch not, tho agonies grow nigher
and humiliations leave no fames
which round me lap up, higher and higher.

So here I stand, my Love, my Buyer
no pretense offer up, nor games -
As I stand inside the pyre
which round me lap up, higher and higher.

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