Into the pitiless silver of the night
When all the world is powdered by the moon,
And day’s warm shadows, frozen into light,
Forget the drowsy comfort of the noon,
Into the pitiless white of the harsh flame
That you called love, well-knowing it was death,
With open eyes and arms outstretched I came,
Kneeling to know the blessing of your breath,
Icily blowing from the core of heat,
That was my spirit since it came from you.
It was my victory and the defeat
Of all the sweet evasions that I knew,
Through the ordeal of silver and of white
My soul has gained the freedom of the night.