F
FireFromHeaven
Guest
I found this poem. It is by a catholic convert named Lionel Johnson. Lionel was an active homosexual until his conversion an this poem was about his struggle with sin. However I think it transcends homosexuality and can be applied to any temptation.
The Dark Angel
by Lionel Johnson
Dark Angel with thine aching lust
To rid the world of penitence;
Malicious Angel, who still dost
My soul such subtle violence!
Because of thee, no thought, no thing,
Abides for me undesecrate:
Dark Angel, ever on the wing,
Who never reachest me too late!
When music sounds then changest thou,
Its silvery to a sultry fire:
Nor will thine envious heart allow
Delight untortured by desire.
Through thee the gracious Muses turn
To Furies, O mine Enemy!
And all the things of beauty burn
With flames of evil ecstasy.
Because of thee, the land of dreams
Becomes a gathering place of fears:
Until tormented slumber seems
One vehemence of useless tears.
When sunlight glows upon the flowers,
Or ripples down the dancing sea:
Thou, with thy troop of passionate powers,
Beleaguerest, bewilderest, me.
Within the breath of autumn woods
Within the winter silences:
Thy venomous spirit stirs and broods,
O Master of impieties!
The ardor of red flame is thine,
And thine the steely soul of ice:
Thou poison way the fair design
Of nature, with unfair device.
Apple of ashes, golden bright;
Waters of bitterness, how sweet!
Banquet of a foul delight,
Prepared by thee, dark Paraclete!
Thou art the whisper in the gloom,
The hinting tone, the haunting laugh:
Thou art the adorned of my tomb,
The minstrel of mine epitaph.
I fight thee, in the Holy Name!
Yet, what thou dost, is what God saith:
Tempter! should I escape thy flame,
Thou wilt have helped my soul from Death:
The second Death, that never dies,
That cannot die, when time is dead:
Live Death, wherein the lost soul cries,
Eternally uncomforted.
Dark Angel, with thine aching lust!
Of two defeats, of two despairs:
Less dread, a change to drifting dust,
Than an eternity of cares.
Do what thou wilt, thou shalt not so,
Dark Angel! Triumph over me
Lonely, unto the Lone I go;
Divine to the divinity.
The Dark Angel
by Lionel Johnson
Dark Angel with thine aching lust
To rid the world of penitence;
Malicious Angel, who still dost
My soul such subtle violence!
Because of thee, no thought, no thing,
Abides for me undesecrate:
Dark Angel, ever on the wing,
Who never reachest me too late!
When music sounds then changest thou,
Its silvery to a sultry fire:
Nor will thine envious heart allow
Delight untortured by desire.
Through thee the gracious Muses turn
To Furies, O mine Enemy!
And all the things of beauty burn
With flames of evil ecstasy.
Because of thee, the land of dreams
Becomes a gathering place of fears:
Until tormented slumber seems
One vehemence of useless tears.
When sunlight glows upon the flowers,
Or ripples down the dancing sea:
Thou, with thy troop of passionate powers,
Beleaguerest, bewilderest, me.
Within the breath of autumn woods
Within the winter silences:
Thy venomous spirit stirs and broods,
O Master of impieties!
The ardor of red flame is thine,
And thine the steely soul of ice:
Thou poison way the fair design
Of nature, with unfair device.
Apple of ashes, golden bright;
Waters of bitterness, how sweet!
Banquet of a foul delight,
Prepared by thee, dark Paraclete!
Thou art the whisper in the gloom,
The hinting tone, the haunting laugh:
Thou art the adorned of my tomb,
The minstrel of mine epitaph.
I fight thee, in the Holy Name!
Yet, what thou dost, is what God saith:
Tempter! should I escape thy flame,
Thou wilt have helped my soul from Death:
The second Death, that never dies,
That cannot die, when time is dead:
Live Death, wherein the lost soul cries,
Eternally uncomforted.
Dark Angel, with thine aching lust!
Of two defeats, of two despairs:
Less dread, a change to drifting dust,
Than an eternity of cares.
Do what thou wilt, thou shalt not so,
Dark Angel! Triumph over me
Lonely, unto the Lone I go;
Divine to the divinity.