Sweat-stained was carved each ring of knotted crust,
clouded rubies in a fractal spiral,
towers manned by pine-trees, hemmed with dust,
clairvoyant, anticipating the arrival,
a greeting repeated and rehearsed.
Slow-cut cross-streams wander through the valleys
while the pale Source’s sentinel casts first
a warning, then a vision: red rocks upheave
a molten crown of gold, a crouching umbra
flashes bloody crimson, and the rivers
turn to wine. Last, unspoken slips the sun.
The Image has appeared. From their quiver
stars pierce strange darts through a heart new made light
and beg it may remain within their night.