"Apology of Genius"

published 1922 in The Dial

Ostracized as we are with God

The watchers of the civilized wastes

reverse their signals on our track

 

Lepers of the moon

all magically diseased

we come among you

innocent

of our luminous sores

 

unknowing

how perturbing lights

our spirit

on the passion of Man

until you turn on us your smooth fools' faces

like buttocks bared in aboriginal mockeries

 

We are the sacerdotal clowns

who feed upon the wind and stars

and pulverous pastures of poverty

 

Our wills are formed

by curious disciplines

beyond your laws

 

You may give birth to us

or marry us

the chances of your flesh

are not our destiny ---

 

The cuirass of the soul

still shines ---

And we are unaware

if you confuse

such brief

corrosion with possession

 

In the raw caverns of the Increate

we forge the dusk of Chaos

to that imperious jewellery of the Universe

--- the Beautiful ---

 

While to your eyes

A delicate crop

of criminal mystic immortelles

stands to the censor's scythe.

 

 

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