Astrophel

I wait for the flapping sound of wings Come for me, sacred falcon of ancient kings! With penetrating eyes it examines all who calls A worthy soul if it sees, upon them it swiftly falls Unhesitating talons sink into grateful flesh and bone Tired blood spills and returns the earth an ancient loan Dead weight is lifted, carried ever higher, but They cannot enter the lofty realms of desire What was made of dirt must return to the earth; The falcon raises its head and strikes at my chest It seems to ask me, “Are you ready to be bled?” Skin is pierced, bones are cracked; my heart is opened (Am I dead?) Blood-red rose wrought on the cage of my ribs The falcon strikes again, it bits and it spits It digs deeper, fiercely it seeks a treasure It`s torture, it`s pain - dark twins of pleasure My heart is torn, suddenly the falcon shrieks As a shiny pearl in its beak it reveals This, my essence, it keeps, the rest must fall The pearl is my life, my spirit, my all The falcon keeps climbing to an immeasurable height Starlight greets us; there`s silence there and might The pearl is released, quietly it glows And its lonely light back onto the earth it throws