WHEN fishes flew and forests walked
⁠And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
⁠Then surely I was born;

With monstrous head and sickening cry
⁠And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
⁠On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
⁠Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
⁠I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
⁠One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
⁠And palms before my feet.