Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, COMMUNION: 4. A CATHEDRAL, by ARVIA MACKAYE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

COMMUNION: 4. A CATHEDRAL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O sinewed shrine of man's desire
Last Line: To face thee, and endure.
Subject(s): Desire; Time; Universe; Wisdom


O sinewed shrine of man's desire
Of fire and ashes made,
Pealing organ of the mind --
Vibrant, stark, yet staid!

O creature of the pulsing ages
Vertebrate with pain,
How can I fathom through thy beauty
The groping soul who, slain,

Leapt into frail and perfect grandeur,
Yearning, cold as steel,
Trembling naked in God's tempest, --
The form you now reveal!

O unity that breaks with union,
Strength that weeps in pain,
Mighty symphony of balance
Frail as frozen rain!

Crush not my being into cinders,
Nor too sharp my spirit rend.
Dumb in stunned communion, kneeling,
I seek to comprehend. --

O Man, thy spirit is too mighty,
Thy wisdom is too pure
For thy dumb, crawling, blinded self
To face thee, and endure.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net