VOCATION OF THE MIRROR

When things forget their form and their colour,
and, beset by night, the walls fold up,
and everything kneels or withdraws or is confused,
you alone stay erect, luminous presence.

Your clear resolution dominates the shadows,
in the darkness shimmers your mineral silence;
like sudden doves
you send your secret messages to things.

Every chair is elongated in the night and awaits
an unreal guest before a plate of shadow,
and only you, transparent witness,
repeat by rote a lesson of light.