Louise Bogan

From “Beginning and End”

SO that I shall no longer tarnish with my fingers

The bright steel of your power,

I shall be hardened against you,

A shield tightened upon its rim.

A stern oval to be pierced by no weapon,

Metal stretched and shaped against you.

For a long time I shall go

Spanned by the round of my strength.

Changeless, in spite of change,

My resolve undefeated;

Though now I see the evening moon, soon to wane,

Stand clearly and alone in the early dark,

Above the stirring spindles of the leaves.