Childhood Dream

My childhood veiled a secrecy

Within its delicate shroud

Like a splendour of celestial light

Under the folds of a cloud.

Often I used to think and feel

That a white dream was laid

Upon my eyes and suns and moons

Out of that dream were made.

Bright birds from shadow-rocks began

To sing of marvellous things

And shed feathers of heavenly ame

From their mysterious wings.

The whole creation seemed to bear

A memory that I knew:

The listening woods and echoing seas

And the soft, slumbering hue

Of stars on the lone curve of night

Vibrating in their sleep

With a mystical immensity

Of an invisible deep

Awoke a vision in my heart

Whose hint I could not guess.

I felt as if I were a wave

Of some vast consciousness

That links my soul with each
re-breath

Of life and inanimate

Wonders that lie for centuries

In their happy tranced state.

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The vision slowly died away

But left behind its mark;

Though a wide chasm eclipsed from view

The apocalyptic spark,

Still in my timeless wanderings

I felt a sudden cry

Within the closed fane of my heart

Reminding of a sky

That hid behind its sapphire veil

Strange faces orbed with light

And beckoning to their splendour-home

Beyond the brink of night.

Now have I come to a silent shore

Where my spirit is at rest:

It has regained in
nity,

Recovered its God-nest.

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