The New Ghost

And he cast it down, down, on the green grass
Over the young crocuses, where the dew was
He cast the garment of his flesh that was full of death
And like a sword his spirit showed out of the cold sheath

He went a pace or two, he went to meet his Lord
And, as I said, his spirit looked like a clean sword
And seeing him the naked trees began shivering
And all the birds cried out aloud as it were late spring

And the Lord came on, He came down, annd saw
That a soul was waiting there for Him, one without flaw
And they embraced in the churchyard where the robins play
And the daffodils hang down their heads, as they burn away

The Lord held his head fast, and you could see
That He kissed the unsheathed ghost that was gone free
As a hot sun, on a March day, kisses the cold ground;
And the spirit answered, for he knew well that his peace was found

The spirit trembled, and sprang up at the Lord's word
As on a wild April day, springs a small bird
So the ghost's feet lifting him up, he kissed the Lord's cheek
And for the greatness of their love neither of them could speak

But the Lord went then, to show him the way
Over the young crocuses, under the green may
That was not quite in flower yet, to a far distant land:
And the ghost followed like a naked cloud holding the sun's hand