There was a fire brighter in you
Than had coated Trojan parapets
Or burned and buried Pompeii
Ruins decorate the land and I
See them rippling between
Heat waves and the horizon

There was a magic dancing in you
Like in the Great Khan’s harem
Or the halls of Arthur before the deceit
The mist hissed and twisted
With your cavorting form in
The temple as they worshipped

There was a radiance filling your eyes
Like first glimpse of Saharan stars
From a sandy desert bed
I reached for you a bit too soon
And watched the mirage slowly
Collapse under my weight

I crumbled like ancient Babylon
Within a forgotten garden
The Gate to God began to age
And decay as I helplessly watched
You drift out of sight and leave me
Alone with the cold and my faith

I lost you like ancient Atlantis
In the briny brilliance of the sea
I dove after you tenaciously and
You laughed at me sagaciously
And the lonely candle glinted out
When the last Prayer failed