Furseus' Words (Adagio grandioso)

When he was restored to his body, and throughout his whole life, on is shoulder and jaw he bore the mark of the fire that he had felt in his soul, visible to all men. - Furseus' Vision, 633 C.E.

And one of the seraphims flew to me, and in his hand was a live coal, which he had taken with the tongs off the altar. And he touched my mouth, and said: Behold this hath touched thy lips, and thy iniquities shall be taken away, and thy sin shall be cleansed. -Isaiah 6:6-7

Here I am, a man long in years and short in age,

Naked in December, plunging in again to icy waters

that will not cool my skin nor quench my thirst.

I speak at nonce, and at vesper sing but not my prayers

into the rafter beams.

I shall not speak again before my death.

When the angel seized me up I saw below

The rocky depths on which I'd fall,

The crushing depths on which I'd fall,

The dashing waves on which I'd fall,

It is my gift, now as then, to neither laugh

nor frown;

But look upon them steep below.

When my god allowed for me to feel the scalding heat

of the burning soul against my face, I could not flinch

or look away. It is my gift, now as then, neither flinch

nor look away,

but feel that burning flesh a kiss.

When I was cast again against those rocks,

And knew I could not rise, and called again my God,

I was left to lie until I could raise myself. It was my gift,

Then as now, to wait until I could lift myself,

and gather with my strength.

Here I am, a man long in years and short in age,

Naked in the December of my youth, plunging, diving

And rejoicing that my thirst, my fire remains.

I, who have once whispered in the ear of God,

Know I may not pray again

Until God speaks to me.