He said to me: In the beginning of the world Before the gates of heaven stood Before the blasts of thunder sounded Before the flashes of lightning blazed Before the foundations of Paradise were set Before the beauty of its flowers was seen Before the powers of the earthquake were laid down Before the innumerable hosts of angels came together Before the heights of air were raised up Before the spaces of the sky were named Before the footstool of the Mountain was established Before the present years were reckoned up Before the evil planners were denounced & those who gather in the jewels of faith were sealed -- Then I considered all of this & through me & through no other all came into being -- So the end will come through me & through no other Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368-0271, www.cc.press.org | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FLUSH OR FAUNUS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE HEMLOCK by EMILY DICKINSON BUDMOUTH DEARS by THOMAS HARDY ECHOES: 4. INVICTUS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY FOUR-LEAF CLOVER by ELLA (RHOADS) HIGGINSON FLOWERS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE CONFLICT OF CONVICTIONS by HERMAN MELVILLE |