Dancing Dust
	Poems by Mollie Caird (1922-2000)
	Repentance
Home Alphabetic index of poems Thematic index of poems Biography Gallery Contact and links	Deep to the labyrinth’s heart the warrior went. The hideous beast of sin before his eyes Towers; he strikes, exultantly he cries ‘The sword of faith makes me omnipotent!’ He laughs to see the creature’s dark blood spent, But from the carcass he beholds arise The phoenix of his pride; then glory dies ― Sword, helmet, shield, alike are impotent, No valour now, no going on, no blow In self-defence.  But quietly, in shame ‘I have been here before’ he says, and stands Aghast, unmanned.  Then haltingly and slow, Taking the silken clew within his hands, Winds intricately back the way he came. Undated The Dancing Dust and other poems, 1983