Femina Contra Mundum

The sun was black with judgment, and the moon            Blood: but betweenI saw a man stand, saying: 'To me at least            The grass is green.'There was no star that I forgot to fear            With love and wonder.

The birds have loved me'; but no answer came —            Only the thunder.

Once more the man stood, saying: 'A cottage door,            Wherethrough I

That instant as I turned — yea,

I am vile;            Yet my eyes blazed.'For I had weighed the mountains in a balance,            And the skies in a scale,

I come to sell the stars — old lamps for new —            Old stars for sale.'Then a calm voice fell all the thunder through,            A tone less rough:'Thou hast begun to love one of my works            Almost enough.'