Page:Main Street and other poems, Kilmer, 1917.djvu/36

MAIN STREET AND OTHER POEMS

IN MEMORY (continued) III

Before Christ left the Citadel of Light,

To tread the dreadful way of human birth,

His shadow sometimes fell upon the earth

And those who saw it wept with joy and fright.

"Thou art Apollo, than the sun more bright!"

They cried. "Our music is of little worth,

But thrill our blood with thy creative mirth

Thou god of song, thou lord of lyric might!"

O singing pilgrim! who could love and follow

Your lover Christ, through even love's despair,

You knew within the cypress-darkened hollow

The feet that on the mountain are so fair.

For it was Christ that was your own Apollo,

And thorns were in the laurel on your hair. [ 30 ]