The Lie (bernini's St Theresa)
Genuflection / erection in church.
Sacristy cloth / moth-eaten shroud.
Secret silence / sacred secrets
Accumulate dust, aggravate the eye.
Incautious laughter after confession.
Benediction ------- fictional fear
Like Chastity, like Lucifer, like mine.
You took me through the window-stain,
Drowned in image, inscence, choir-refrain
And slow ecstasy ------
I'd embrace you if I only knew your name....
The silent corner haunts my shadow prayers:
Ice-cold statue -- rapture divine,
Unconscious eyes,
The open mouth,
The wound of love,
The Lie.
You took me, gave me reasons for
Saints and missals, vigils, all the more
Holy martyrs -----
I'd embrace you and walk through
The one-way door...
I'd embrace you, but it would be
Just another lie ----------
(* which is to say that the statue is the inspiration, but not the Lie)