Classic Poem

You stand between the cedars and the green spruces,
Brilliantly naked
And I think:
——What are you,
——A gem under sunlight?
——A poised spear?
——A jade cup?
You flash in front of the cedars and the tall spruces,
And I see that you are fire—
Sacrificial fire on a jade altar,
Spear-tongue of white, ceremonial fire.
My eyes burn,
My hands are flames seeking you,
But you are as remote from me as a bright pointed planet
Set in the distance of an evening sky.