Canto 38The Golden Light

Book 16. Part Seven - Pondicherry Circa 1927 – 1947

Sonnets

Life-Unity

I housed within my heart the life of things,

All hearts athrob in the world I felt as mine;

5I shared the joy that in creation sings

And drank its sorrow like a poignant wine.

I have felt the anger in another’s breast,

All passions poured through my world-self their waves;

One love I shared in a million bosoms expressed.

10I am the beast man slays, the beast he saves.

I spread life’s burning wings of rapture and pain;

Black fire and gold fire strove towards one bliss:

I rose by them towards a supernal plane

Of power and love and deathless ecstasies.

15A deep spiritual calm no touch can sway

Upholds the mystery of this Passion-play.

The Golden Light

Thy golden Light came down into my brain

And the grey rooms of mind sun-touched became

20A bright reply to Wisdom’s occult plane,

A calm illumination and a flame.

Thy golden Light came down into my throat,

And all my speech is now a tune divine,

A paean song of Thee my single note;

25My words are drunk with the Immortal’s wine.

Thy golden Light came down into my heart

Smiting my life with Thy eternity;

Now has it grown a temple where Thou art

And all its passions point towards only Thee.

30Thy golden Light came down into my feet;

My earth is now Thy playfield and Thy seat.