Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/278
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Nirvana.
241
The sun and all the simple sunny things.
I put my hands out blindly for a breast
Of close, familiar comfort—and I feel
The cold, smooth pavement and the carven stone!
I put my hands out blindly for a breast
Of close, familiar comfort—and I feel
The cold, smooth pavement and the carven stone!
And when among the long-dead centuries
I seek the Man, I cannot see him clear;
For he is hidden by a cloud of wings,
Or blinds me, radiant, an effulgent God!
I seek the Man, I cannot see him clear;
For he is hidden by a cloud of wings,
Or blinds me, radiant, an effulgent God!
His body was not rapt in splendour up,
But somewhere with us lies, his ashes sealed
In some long-fallen tomb: not reft away,
Somewhere they build up soil and seed and soul.
Or somewhere they are blown about the world,
Part of the green of grass, the blue of sky,
Helping the herb—as all of us must help—
Woven and mixed within all growing things.
But somewhere with us lies, his ashes sealed
In some long-fallen tomb: not reft away,
Somewhere they build up soil and seed and soul.
Or somewhere they are blown about the world,
Part of the green of grass, the blue of sky,
Helping the herb—as all of us must help—
Woven and mixed within all growing things.
O that the world might know him as he was—
One of our human family, Mary’s son!
One of our human family, Mary’s son!
CLXX.
Nirvana.
“At even it shall be light,”
Thus spake the Christ to men.
“Nay,” said Lord Buddha, “when
Draws nigh the cosmic Night,
Thus spake the Christ to men.
“Nay,” said Lord Buddha, “when
Draws nigh the cosmic Night,