When that strange stirring to a poem comes - br half-heard, half-formed, some seed deep in the mind - br the heart lights up, so eager to explore br the unknown path that listening may find: br br obedience, awe, devotion, humbleness br all rise to meet the offering of the word, br and gently, like new father with his child, br tend precious stranger granted to their care. br br Then silence turns to music in the mind br and all too solid words form, black and white; br behind the magic of the manifest br remains - less noonday, than unbroken night... br br The poet's failure? No, his Muse's power - br if readers hear that seed which spoke the flower.