John Cowper Powys

 

John Cowper Powys (1872-1963), British poet.

 

 

To Isadora Duncan

 

With the gesture of a god,

 

You gave me back my youth;

 

And a scent of violets

 

Overflowed the world.

 

With the gesture of a god,

 

You gave me back my love,

 

And tears deeper than tears

 

Overflowed my heart.

 

With the gesture of a god,

 

You trampled on fate,

 

You lifted up on high

 

Those that had fallen -

 

All the oppressed,

 

All the humiliated,

 

All the offended ;

 

You lifted them up on high

 

And they were comforted.

 

With the gesture of god,

 

You wrestled with Demogorgon ;

 

You brought hope back

 

And freedom and triumph

 

To those whom the world had crushed.

 

All of us, sitting in darkness,

 

Saw a great light.

 

You danced as dance the morning stars

 

And the universe was conquered ;

 

You smote the universe in the mouth ;

 

And you saved us -

 

You - a woman.