Shadow And Shade

The shadow streamed into the wall- The wall, break-shadow in the blast; We lingered wordless while a tall Shade enclouded the shadow's cast. The torrent of the reaching shade Broke shadow into all its parts, What then had been of shadow made Found exigence in fits and starts Where nothing properly had name Save that still element the air, Burnt sea of universal frame In which impounded now we were: I took her hand, I shut her eyes And all her shadow cleft with shade, Shadow was crushed beyond disguise But, being fear, was unafraid. I asked fair shadow at my side: What more shall fiery shade require? We lay long in the immense tide Of shade and shadowy desire And saw the dusk assail the wall, The black surge, mounting, crash the stone! Companion of this lust, we fall, I said, lest we should die alone.