Narcissus Was the Perfect Lover in the Heights of Maleness, Leaping, and Diving
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
Narcissus did not know. He came to love
His own clean image, glossy, bright, and pure,
And yet he did not recognize, above
It, where he was, that it was him. The lure
Of beauty was too keen. The young man fell
In steepest love so instantly he could
Not think. This love was deeper than the well
Of loneliness might ever be. We should
Remember this young face leapt in love with
Another. So far as he was concerned,
His purpose was unselfish, so the myth
Was far beyond the cynical. He burned
Like blue-eyed flames consuming him. The one
Reflected there distilled him like a nun.