The power of forgetfulness
The illusion of contentment
The promise of exaltation
Making them one
That the lost and unfulfilled
That the laughter and the pain
That the glory and defeat
Be complete
Seeing how frail is the candle
Hearing how brief is the song
Knowing how soon is the temple
Darkened and still.
Then slipped the root from his feet
Then poured the sound from his ears
Then blew the light from his eyes
And went more wise
Into the white and the blue
Into the mist and the ice
Into the wind and the flame
The way he came.
[Editorial note: The author's literary executor discovered in Elizabeth Bartlett's personal autographed hardbound copy of Behold This Dreamer her own marginal notations relating to the next-to-the-last stanza of the above poem, accompanied by her confirming handwritten revision of that stanza. The stanza as printed here incorporates her revision.]
Behold This Dreamer
is a signed, limited edition
designed by the author
on Corsican rag paper
in Baskerville type
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth Bartlett (1911-1994) was an American poet and writer noted for her lyrical and symbolic poetry, creation of the new twelve-tone form of poetry, founder of the international non-profit organization Literary Olympics, Inc., and known as an author of fiction, essays, reviews, translations, and as an editor. She is not to be confused with the British poet (1924-2008) of the same name. For more detailed information about her life, work, and critical commendations, see the Wikipedia article [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Bartlett_%28American_poet%29 ].
Bartletts most notable achievements include: