After

There is one thing certain.

Once you have stood

in the midst of that

searing flame,

been struck down

to earth

like a pilgrim

entered by light at last

and have lain there,

waiting,

not quite certain --

how can you ever know again

what it is

not to be blinded by the light,

never to have gone there

to the top of the snow hung peak

and felt that nameless something

descend onto your shoulders,

your breast,

even as you bent forward

in disbelief.