Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BURNING GLASS by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL

First Line: A SHAFT OF FIRE THAT FALLS LIKE DEW
Last Line: BEHIND THE GLASS, WITHIN THE GLOW.
Subject(s): DESIRE; FIRE;
A SHAFT of fire that falls like dew,
And melts and maddens all my blood
From out thy spirit flashes through
The burning-glass of womanhood.

Only so far; here must I stay:
Nearer I miss the light, the fire;
I must endure the torturing ray,
And with all beauty, all desire.

Ah, time long must the effort be,
And far the way that I must go
To bring my spirit unto thee,
Behind the glass, within the glow.



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