4794. 2. FRENCH FOR SPECTACLE

2. FRENCH FOR SPECTACLE

Into this I came  -  and I do not know what

to call it. A dying Life? Or a living Death?

Whichever I may choose, I err; for the

reflection of the other than shines brighter

than does the choice itself. Nescio (I know

not). From God comes Healthfulness, and

all good things proceed. So I take heed.

-

My infancy and youth is dead long ago, yet

I still live it  -  thinking and memory are my 

salve as here I sometimes stand, looking

forward while thinking back; thinking behind

while looking ahead. For you who live forever

and in whom nothing dies, I ask, both then and

now was I ever anything at all? Those things of

which I have no memory now  -  suckling, crying,

being born itself  -  did they not then exist? Or

did they nonetheless occur and I but do not 

remember? So too with all else, and with the

infinitude of both you and all Creation? Were

they ever, and are they now?

-

Outside, the willow cast its flimsy shell about,

the wind ruffles it, the limbs creak and bend  -  

that Spirit, is it then the Spirit as well of all things?

Is is all, then, You, I ask? So I may take heed.

-

Let the kettle boil, set the settings for a guest;

as we do not know, so we do not know, ever,

who it is that may be coming. Be ready, then

be ready.