The Alchemist long since left his dark cell, The cold, white ashes ceased like gold to glow. What are these magic arts that you now show, Transmuting life by a mysterious spell? The rose I gave like any rose did smell. What primal breathings through your red lips flow? For had you dropped the flower you kissed, I know A soul had sunk and pined in bitter hell. O since the time you took my rose of earth And all day long the heeded bud you wore, No rose a rose alone will bloom for me. For now I know the secret of soul birth, How earthly dust may have a deathless core, All life turn soul, burned by love's alchemy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOT BY THE SEA by SARA TEASDALE PHANTOM by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE BANNER OF THE JEW by EMMA LAZARUS EN TOUR; A SONG SEQUENCE: 1. THE GARGOYLE by ALBERTA BANCROFT THE ARCHERY MEETING by THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY |