There was a time when I was confident
That God's stupendous mystery of birth
Was mine to know. The wonder of it lent
New ecstasy and glory to the earth.
I heard no voice that uttered it aloud,
Nor was it written for me on a scroll;
Yet, if alone or in the common crowd,
I felt myself a consecrated soul.
My child leaped in its dark and silent room
And cried,‘ I am,’ though all unheard by men.
So leaps my spirit in the body's gloom
And cries,‘ I live! I shall be born again.’
Elate with certitude towards death I go,
Nor doubt, nor argue, since I know, I know!