The self is a concretion, br As amber to the tree, br And seashell to the pearl; br An antiquated 'We'. br br Like wax within the honey, br The shell around the snail, br Ambergris from sperm whales, br Where the waters swell. br br The wrappings of a mummy br Inside an ancient tomb, br And unguent left in jars, br Where the Lotus blooms. br br The self is a concretion br That's built around a host- br Its pinion'd eye of darkness br More holy than the ghost.