Travelling Standing Still/Dissonance Then Silence

by Genevieve Taggard

DISSONANCE THEN SILENCE

Both being cowards, and pulses ice,
Knowing each, the other's paradise;

Wanton with anguish and wry bliss—
Bruised the too great love with a death's kiss;

As eyes closed cruel blind, and ecstasy
Weeping and ceasing to weep, went free

To come again in circles, lessening
But widening the span of ancient pain:

There being pain for tasting paradise,
And pain for lack of it; pain twice;

And the last pain: to see the flying moon,
To be immobile and to make no moan.