Classic Poem

Oftentimes I wish that I
Were a glancing dragon fly:
That this bulk of bone and brawn
Instantly were off and gone
And I dancing on a beam
By a spring or little stream
Iridescent, shining bright
As if, by some blessed sleight,
Somebody had knotted light:
Swift and instantaneous
As if there were two of us
At the same time here and there,
Faster poised than piercing air;
Symbolising, as it were,
In instantaneity,
Slumbers an eternity.

For my colours I would use
All the rainbow's middle hues,
Stilled with speed or brightly flashing
Like a bubble; or a splashing
Dewdrop shaken from the trees
By a wing in Paradise;
While, below, the stream or spring
Kept the bright air shimmering:
Happy and ephemeral
With no Autumn touch at all:
Just a swift ephemeris
Fashioned to keep up with bliss,
Dancing off without decay:
A moment! And then, gone away!
Proof there lies, instinct in slime,
Time's swift triumph over Time.