Let all the strains of joy linger in my last song--

the joy that makes the earth flow over

in the riotous excess of the grass,

the joy that sets the twin brothers,

life and death,

dancing over the wide world,

the joy that sweeps in with the tempest,

shaking and waking all life

with laughter,

the joy that sits still

with its tears

on the open red lotus of pain,

and the joy that throws

everything it has

upon the dust,

and knows

not

a word.