A century or more has passed,
since I was in Oxford last,
this verse a tale to recall,
events most unbelievable.
A twilight weight of mind and soul,
a meeting made of solid gold,
a fractious scene of mystic vanity,
that led to questioning my sanity.
And so the tale to unfold,
before thee versed in rhyme of old,
thou shall amaze for words unspoken,
law of thought belief be broken.
Upon this road for many a mile,
sights and sounds my soul doth smile,
village after village passed,
my visions free the dream-spell cast.
And winning furthered every step,
such imagery so pure I wept,
the brightest days my heart has known,
for to let my spirit roam.
Though weary tired and moonlit frail,
out into the night I sail,
nearing Oxford lights abounding,
before the dawn fields surrounding.
Intrepid fate for faith declined,
before my eyes are paths entwined,
I am to meet one evenings night,
a God with eyes of emerald light.
My guests no less that night the first,
my brothers for to quench their thirst,
conversed thoughts of space and time,
the balance of harmony rhythm and rhyme.
Welcomed there into my home,
of sticks and leaves and flowers in stone,
for to rest long had they roamed,
bare feet the two for nothing they owned.
by Daniel Joseph