Curly-headed One
………………………………… Saints in Heaven in Torcello
How beautiful they are, the robes upon
The Saints in Heaven, their embroidered folds
And panels falling beautifully as dawn
Upon a newborn Christian’s soul, like golds
Of Heaven, of the throne, the pavements spread—
Of pure transparent gold for holy ones
To walk upon—for holy feet to tread
Beneath the graceful drapes of cloth for sons
Of God and martyrdoms! Their wavy hair,
Their curly hair and beards uplifted, slant
There curving through the bends of heaven’s air,
Become mosaic gold and purple chant,
Notes laid against the sound of creamy wool—
These chant to me your beauty at the full.