Sonnet to Judith Gautier

Death and Beauty, being deep, the both of them,
both jeweled with obsidian and azure, I would say
the two were sisters, fierce and rich
with the same promise, and enigma. Women,

 

shine to me!—voices, glances, black hair,
blond—for I am dying! I, who see your brilliance,
like the sheen of pearls that tumble in the breakers,
or like birds that flash far off in a dark woods.

 

Judith, our two fates have brought us closer
than we seem, to see your face and mine;
in your eyes a divine abyss appears, and I feel

 

in my soul a gulf plunged through with stars;
both of us belong to that same sky,
since you are beautiful and I am old.