Canticle of Saint John

The sun which its halt
Supernatural exalts
As soon redescends
   Incandescent

I feel as at the backbone
Spread out shadows
All in a tremble
   Together

And my head up-cropped
Solitary lookout
In the triumphant flights
   Of this scythe

As frank rupture
Rather repels or cuts
Ancient discords
   With the corpse

Than it from fastings mellow
Obstinates to follow
In some leap haggard
   Its pure regard

On high where the chill
Eternal stands not still
For your surpassing
   All o glaciers

But according to a baptism
Illuminated with the same
Principle that elected me
   Inclines a greeting.

 

 Stéphane Mallarmé