REED,
slashed and torn,
but doubly rich --
such great heads as yours
drift upon temple-steps,
but you are shattered
in the wind.
Myrtle-bark
is flecked from you,
scales are dashed from your stem
sand cuts your petal,
furrows it with hard edge,
like flint
on a bright stone.
Yet though the whole wind
slash as your bark,
you are lifted up,
aye -- though it hiss
to cover you with froth.
slashed and torn,
but doubly rich --
such great heads as yours
drift upon temple-steps,
but you are shattered
in the wind.
Myrtle-bark
is flecked from you,
scales are dashed from your stem
sand cuts your petal,
furrows it with hard edge,
like flint
on a bright stone.
Yet though the whole wind
slash as your bark,
you are lifted up,
aye -- though it hiss
to cover you with froth.
