Two Poems

FANTASIA ON A THEME FROM DON GIOVANNI
A Jocose Apocalypse in One Movement

Bring the strings up from nothing,
     violins from the sands,
from stone powders for the justicing
avenger who promises a fire
that will set all right and cure the heart.

Sets fire and holds it and wields
    his rapier of care,
blade of ages a quick floodlight welds
to hot feeling ever returning,
high motto of Don Ottavio!

A knight's pledge to the besieged
     soiled soul of the world,
the betrayed spirit in silks and edged
golden nothingness without which things
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