Travelling Standing Still/Understand the Eye

by Genevieve Taggard

UNDERSTAND THE EYE

Opposite the infiniteIs the single eye set.

In its core the infinite lies,—A mighty jewel, claspt to finite size.

There, there in indivisiblePurity the old lights dwell

Poured by the aged light of someStar on the eye-ball's convex room.

Opposite the infiniteIs the single eye set,

There to behold curved space that goesOpening the lavish starry rows,

There by a slowly gathered gazeWeaving star-rays on star-rays;

Or single, pierced, nugget of clear sight,Shut on its eye-hinges for night.

O, opposite the infiniteIs the single eye set:

The depth, the tunnel of skyHeld to the lance of the eye

Blunts the beam, lines out-spreadFrom the eye's head.

Curve to curve, with no endThe thick beams bend,

And the cave of far spaceTips to the cave of the face.

This is the great dignity,—The repose, of the eye.