O Body

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O Body

Sonnet

O body, earth-flower grown most intricate,
Raised from soil thy flesh grown conscious
By rhythmic breath and criss-crossing thoughts,
Our faithful accomplice and living instrument.

All thy labours since moment of birth
Through day’s wake and night’s sleep dream
Thou doth navigate aidless Time’s stream
From moment to moment upon this earth.

By what means must we thou propitiate
Thy supple alliance to our endeavour?
By what high thought or noble gesture
Can we thy fabled endurance initiate?

Be thou, O body of Earth, ever our ally,
From this our divine endeavour never shy.