Poems (Van Vorst)/Les Revenants
LES REVENANTS
My only light is candle-light
From candles fitly set
In sconces, dazzling.
Long threads, half melting, cling
To snowy candle-masts, and fret
The straight, slim forms, and I shall sit
Alone, until the Spirit stirs
These lily lights (for they are conjurers).
From the high corners, shadows flit
Across the floor: and One shall bring
Back all my soul has loved and missed.
And the dim others fade when we have kissed.
But one remains, and I am one with it.
From candles fitly set
In sconces, dazzling.
Long threads, half melting, cling
To snowy candle-masts, and fret
The straight, slim forms, and I shall sit
Alone, until the Spirit stirs
These lily lights (for they are conjurers).
From the high corners, shadows flit
Across the floor: and One shall bring
Back all my soul has loved and missed.
And the dim others fade when we have kissed.
But one remains, and I am one with it.
My only light is candle-light
From candles burning down
Till each flame flickers into night.
Is it the perfume slight
From shadow hair and shadow gown
From candles burning down
Till each flame flickers into night.
Is it the perfume slight
From shadow hair and shadow gown
Unseals my long-locked senses? Or,
Light touching hands and lips that fill
For me the waste of time, caress until
I live as I have lived before?
Light touching hands and lips that fill
For me the waste of time, caress until
I live as I have lived before?
My only light shall be the candle's light,
To summon shades and mysteries
Until my solitary spirit sees
Your shadow steal across the shining floor.
To summon shades and mysteries
Until my solitary spirit sees
Your shadow steal across the shining floor.