Skip to main content

Waters Are Known to Burn


ISSUE:  Spring 1943

This sober pine tree never could have known
The maple by him was a tree of light,
A fire-tree, full of the strangest splendor,
Until she burst aflame this Autumn night.
Now the pine stands darker because of this
New tree of fire burning by his side.
So a man long calm may wake and find
By his cool bones a very burning bride.
There is no sure way to grow safe and cold,
A thousand ways the darkening years conspire
Against familiars, against the best of friends,
And turn the evening to a time of fire.
Let no man trust white hairs and quietness,
Waters are known to burn and hard stones flower,
The man who buried his gods long since may see
A strange god by him at the twilight hour.

0 Comments

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Recommended Reading