lamp

the branches drooped sharp

and knife-edged

in their shadow

I felt teeth glinting

in my wake

I have walked through hell

--to come here

through the nine-hells of

my own devising

I heard the demons chattering

along the walls

I gave my toes

to the burning fire of winter

I gave my face

to the acid laughter of the wind

and turned my shoulders to its rush

I bled strength

across the hard-froze pavement

I went forward,

and going forward,

have come here--

oh--my far-off neighbor

whose house glows on the dark

hill-top

I will take your porch-light

as my lamp

I will wave no more torches

nor seek to burn the night

--as my lamp

and I will dance

down here--will no more strive

but to dance defter

here, below the circle

of its light.