What Thing More Beautiful?

If there be some one thing more beautiful
Than to lie with you in warmth and dark,
I would fear that it might burn my soul away
Before the purging purity of light
Its perfection must diffuse.
Your love is all the beauty I may stand.

I carry what we make within this dark,
Our human near-perfection, out into the light
Each day; each moment as I stand
Against the ravages of life I take away
Those stains that fall diffuse
Upon my careless soul, and mar the beautiful.

It is the love of you that brings the light
Into the confusion of my doubtings' dark
Securing what fitful fate may bear away,
That grants the strength to stand
Opposed to all things foul, in alliance with the beautiful,
Committed to a hope as noble as it is diffuse.

There is a light that will not pierce the dark
As we lie conjoined, our love diffuse
About us as the night in little measures leaks away;
It would but blind the eye, if seen, this sacred light
Before which no ill thought may stand,
This light that paints the unseen beautiful.

All worthy things are also most diffuse
As are the light, the dark, the beautiful.
Their meanings advance, recede, then turn away
From our poor apprehension's groping's dark,
Even as our hope moves us to apply what light 
We may, to illumine that before which we stand.

So in the end, my mind, struck dumb, turns away
From the mystery, in consult to stand
With the heart within the lovethick dark
Where you lie near and shining without light
Within that sphere of all good things diffuse
About us, incomprehensible and beautiful.


No; there can be to me no thing so beautiful
As the light of you shining in unbroken dark:
Your love is all the beauty I may stand.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2007

Poem

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Richards Avatar
November 30, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Beautiful poetry, William. This is full of passion and love. Congratulations on being featured this week. Well deserved! ~ Carrie
Jordan Avatar
November 29, 2008 at 9:52 PM
William - Congrats on having your poetry featured this week – Great Job & God Bless, MJ
Lokken Avatar
November 24, 2008 at 8:55 PM
This is the most breathtaking work of sheer, sensitive poetry I have read in a long time. I am overwhelmed. Congrads on being featured.:) Well-deserved....Sara
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
November 24, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Congratulations William. on your sestina being featured this week on Poetry Soup. Vince
 Avatar
November 24, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Much to think about in your words. Congratulations on having your poem featured. Wishing you continued success with your writing. Karen
Winter Avatar
November 24, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Congratulations on your featured write of the week. Love, Shar
Brown Avatar
November 24, 2008 at 6:12 AM
Congratulations Bill on your poem being featured this week. I sure missed reading this one some how. Love, Carol
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