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1880–1929

THE DARK FIRE

John Freeman

Love me not less Yet ease me of this fever, That in my wondering heart Burns, sinks, burns again ever.

Is it your love In me so fiercely burning, Or my love leaping to you Then requickened returning?

Come not to me, Bring not your body nearer, Though you overleapt the miles I could not behold you clearer.

I could not clasp you Than in my thought more surely; Breast to breast, heart to heart Might cling no more securely.

I do not know you, Seeing you, more than unseeing. What you are that you are Here in my spiritual being.

Leave me you cannot, Nor can I remove me From the sevenfold dark fire You have lit here since you love me.

Yet love unsure No wilder could be burning. Come, go, come, go, There's neither leaving nor returning.

Love me, love me more. O, not my heart shall quaver If the dark fire more deep Sinks and is sevenfold sevenfold graver.

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THE DARK FIRE · John Freeman · Poetry Cove