Poems by Themis

Last Evening

Last evening when the skies in fury

Thundered over our dull repose,

And we quick-fastened all our shutters,

Quietly a thought arose:

How sometimes through an apprehension

Strange and awkward, we, unwise,

Have lost the gleam of things immortal

Passing across our fear-filled eyes.

How many flaming thoughts have vanished

Unknown, for brains were sealed up tight;

How many lovely truths eluded

Minds wrapped in comfortable night.

All beauty's lightnings split the heavens,

While we, safe home, crouch tucked away;

Truth's gold wrath rumbles through the darkness,

Our ears are plugged with terror's clay.

And so our hearts miss all the meanings,

All secrets delicate and deep;

The warriors win them, enter sunrise,

While we lie trembling or asleep.

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