1364

1363

1363
The measure of belief's not mouthed,
But held in the hand or eye:
Warm for the grasp,
In the reflection embraced.
The mind is fed from the body's purse,
That's with its own interest compounded;
The expired breath but a vapor makes
Upon a mirror of opinion,
That repeats what is repeated.

1362

1361

1360

1359

1358

1357

1356

1355

1354

Note, Jamaica, that will bear

The encumbered ones

Unsated swollen round,

With indignant interest eyed

By geckos paused in silver maneuver,

With grave surmise

By others too on family ground,

Our innermost hidden,

And hidden plain to see.

1353

1352

1351

1340

1349

This is not desired,

The cloud heads an arrested unfurling,

Divested of the sky's estate--

Renouncing and congruent with it and too

The condensation of one eye

Before sight can see--

Desire is tomorrow.

1348

1347

1346

1345
Pale flower shed
Pale dust to talc
Fingertips--
Too slight to warrant
Recollection.
One hour fled
By chance to touch
Parted lips--
Too fraught to figure
Conciliation.

1344

1343

1342

1341

The sound of the storm

Does not bend the wind

Or crack the hearts of trees--

As the faith of ignorance,

A noise resultant merely--

So name your fetters freedom,

And cry your country honor:

The tree stands still, the air unmoved.

1340

1339

1338

1337

1336

1335

1334

1333

1332

1331

1330
In day is night pent,
Leashed to the shadows
Under tree or cloud
Or creviced redoubt--
Ever telling the whip's taut length
In parting and closing with its fellows
By the sun's hand,
Till the turning world slip word.

1329

1328

1327

1326

1325
The sun is strange to light the day,
Shadow to pattern walks,
Air as blue as eyes
To make a breath.
The arrangement, not condition,
No essence wants addition.

1324

1323

1322

1321
Queen of herself,
Full vessel,
A formidable lady to love.
Scepter snap of a tongue,
Minion-making,
In absence savored
By one in favor.
Come, lady,
Yourself unmastered
Masters me.

1320

1319

1318

1317