Classic Poem

Eros!
My youth, my vows, my Being unto thee
I fling! Would I were flame to tremble on beneath
Thy shrine forever!
As votive lights before the holiness of Saints.

Would I were heat of torrid tropics where the Sun
Is ultimate! That I might cast my smiting beams
Thy noon of passion—
Till shadowless Creation swooned before thy face!

Would I were fragrance of the sisterhood sweet-breathed,
Of Jasmine, Lotus, Hyacinth—my chalice should
To thee be broken—
As laving for thy restless, wounding, wingéd feet!

Would I were lutes gold-throated, thrilling without cease—
Would I were stars, thy luminous haunts to veil—
Amorous sleeping,
Eros, thou God of Gods! Giver of all Desire!

Alas!
No element of fire or Sun am I,
To bathe or glorify thy radiant haloed form
With power supernal—
Or to incite the condescension of a God.

Of earth conceived, divinity but haunts my heart
Through thee—yet am I flame, heat, fragrance, lute and stars
For thy possessing—
Eros! transformed in Love's immortal mystery.