to be kissed by the mouth would be to know God in essence,
not solely to contemplate him
but the express embrace of the flesh assumed.
To find eternities in living ends,
in ecstatic storms and great anxieties
enables the transformation
of cold exegesis and finalities
into the self sustained absolute.

The dimensions are far deeper,
the virtue more nourishing than the sensations alone-
the sensations alone are stark and vain- very vain
wandering locks of hair, the bone shaven cheek
strolling fingers on physical measures,
the boys hand all becoming entireties,
and all ascend according to their limitations.

This is not a comforting platitude.