The Black Christ & Other Poems/Lesson

by Countee Cullen

Lesson

I LAY in silence at her side, My heart's and spirit's choice;For we had said harsh things and cried On love in a bitter voice.

We lay and watched two points in space, Pricked in heaven, faint and far.They seemed so near, but who could trace That width between star and star?

We lay and watched, and suddenly There was a streak of light,And where were two, the eye might see But one star in the night.

My hand stole out, her hand crept near, Grief was a splintered spar;Two fused in one there, did you hear Us claiming kinship, star?