Classic Poem

A silver lantern
I made of my desire,
A cloudy vessel
That dreamed of fire.

I digged my silver
In a dark mine.
I crushed it and wrought it
And hammered it fine;

With graven blossoms
I made it bright,
And buds of darkness
Dreaming of light,

Till — burnished and finished
And marked with my name —
God blew upon it
And gave the flame.

I carry my lantern
Through the gusty rain:
Shielded with silver
The light streams plain.

I carry my lantern
Through the fierce, bald noon,
I carry my lantern
Under the moon,

Through dark and dazzle
Threading the ray
That picks out the climbing