The Soul's Portrait

Not merely of moments is she mine,
she is mine through eternal birth!
Not merely of living is she mine,
she is mine through eternal death!

Not merely my own is she mine,
she is mine through all others' being!
Not merely of earth is she mine,
she is mine through the whole world's seeing!

Not merely of pleasure is she mine,
she is mine through eternal longing!
Not merely of tenderness is she mine,
she is mine in honey-sweet silence belonging!

Not merely of love is she mine,
she is mine through eternal devotion!
Not merely mine alone is she mine,
she is mine through all nature's motion!

Not merely of earth is she mine,
she is mine through the whole sky's embrace!
Yet not of dwelling is she mine,
she is mine in eternal exile's space!

Not merely of eyes is she mine,
she is mine through the whole heart's yearning!
Not merely of pride is she mine,
she is mine in honey-sweet shame's burning!

Not merely of cherishing is she mine,
she is mine through eternal sorrow!
Not merely of thought is she mine,
she is mine through eternal pursuit's tomorrow!