Beyond Possession
Our images withdraw, the rose returns To what it was before we looked at it. We lift our look from where the water runs And it's pure river once again, we write No emblems on the trees. A way begins Of living where we have no need to beat The petals down to get the scent of rose Or sign our features where the water goes.
All is itself. Each man himself entire, Not even plucking out his thought, not even Bringing a tutored wilfulness to bear Upon the rose, the water. Each has given Essence of water back to itself, essence of flower, Till he is yoked to his own heart and driven Inward to find a private kind of peace And not a mind reflecting his own face.
Yet must go deeper still, must move to love Where thought is free to let the water ride, Is liberal to the rose giving it life
And setting even its own shadow aside : Till flower and water blend with freedom of Passion that does not close them in and hide Their deepest natures ; but the heart is strong To beat with rose and river in one song.
ELIZABETH JENNINGS
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