LOVE CONSTANT BEYOND DEATH

The final shadow that will close my eyes
will in its darkness take me from white day,
and instantly untie the soul from lies
and flattery of death, and find its way,

and yet my soul won't leave its memory
of love there on the shore where it has burned:
my flame can swim cold water
and has learned to lose respect for laws' severity.
My soul, whom a God made his prison of,
my veins, which a liquid humor fed to fire,
my marrows, which have gloriously flamed,
will leave their body, never their desire;
they will be ash but ash in feeling framed;
they will be dust but will be dust in love.


F. De Quevedo