Canto 12

Lightning’s no easy light to see alive reflecting  
Joseph’s mind : No magic bottle holds it nor do I
Believe it possible, try as I will to engage in mirrors
As images : how can I imagine what ignited flashing glass 
As Joseph fell through the window of his martyrdom?
Keen shards, bright glints, encrypted revelations
Yet to be told but not by him. More foretelling  
Could only be by those who followed him in faith, 
Believing he had passed all means of streaming 
Insights from God to those of Holy Priesthood 
Who sign and signal and see expanding explanations
Like ringing lights tossed childlike upon a pond,
Its surface broken as if by diamonds flung  
From a steady hand downward like radiant hail 
To intervene in man’s mind, sheer miracles 
Mirroring prophecies like drops of God’s thoughts
Ringing outward concentric reflections, 
Creating waves, interference patterns  
Of affirmations emerging in convergence,  
Laws far beyond the child, man, but delighting 
In a whee & a squeal dizzily reflecting ourselves,
The simple act engendered by prayers answered 
In surprises, secret toys that instruct, 
Not the no-nonsense-lessons of a schoolmarm  
Strictly teaching with love-taps that sting,  
But rather like a rainbow finding a lovely bowl  
Of Cherries at its fingertips, a pond  
Flaming sundown and shadow, 
A drink that cools but never burns the tongue.