«The Marriage of the Fire-Under-Water and Gale»
commonly known as
«Scenes From a Wedding»
i.

A fire on a hillside, a restless wind,
Water runs through bracken, mutters under
Trumpets in the ruins: and the dance begins.
Our feet tread the grass to distant thunder.

As we dance through the open doors
Light pours out of a thousand jaws
Candleflames—a hundred eyes—a silence—we begin
And as our dancing skies collide
Fill my hands with misty lies
Tell me you can tolerate
The ocean under my skin.
ii.

At the head of table, in a bright bronze mask
I pass the jeweled cup of driving blindness
To the dead out of the desert, from the worldless dark
To the forgetful feast of shining kindness.

As we dance &c.
iii.

Sinew joined to sinew, blood to blood,
Muscle joined to muscle, god to god.
I wash your feet in vinegar, rinse my hands in wine,
Touch my lips to salt water, greet the morning.

As we dance &c.