The Catastrophe*

The Catastrophe

 

------PROTASIS------

 

The ease in any lie, the smirk in any sigh,

The smile that does not last,

 

The trick in any eye

 

The ego in the goal, the rat inside the hole,

The smile that does not last,

 

The cancer in the mole

 

The touch that does not soothe,

The word that does not move,

The smile that does not last,

 

The love we cannot prove.[1]

 

------EPITASIS------

 

All things are dust and only dust,

And dust is made of things that turn to dust,

As all things must, like hearts with feathered wings

 

They cannot be what dust is not,

Nor more than love can be

A thing they lower into dust

But only mourners see.

 

------CATASTROPHE------

 

I know not where

This star will lead;

 

I would not chance the night

I would not be a fool that did

 

I am a child of light!

 

But I suppose it must be so:

To finish, I must start

 

And only darkness rounds a star

That bids a pilgrim heart.[2]