Dream's Alchemy
By George Sterling
Wakeful ere dawn, I heard the mighty sweep
Of everlasting pinions on the night,
And turned to mark with vision-litten sight
What visitants were mine from midnight's keep;
Whereat one spake, colossal: "I am Sleep."
The other: "I am Love." In equal might
They stood, twain gods of shadow and of light,
Flown from eternal turrets of the Deep.
Then, as I watched, uncertain whom to hold
My spirits' lord, their majesties were blent,
The vans of darkness and the wings of gold,
The breasts and brows of peace or ecstasy-
One god and star on slumber's firmament.
One mystery 'or lo! I dreamt of thee!
Carmel.