The Marriage

by Yvor Winters (1900-1968)Incarnate for our marriage you appeared, Flesh living in the spirit and endeared By minor graces and slow, sensual change. Through every nerve we made our spirits range. We fed our minds on every mortal thing: The lacy fronds of carrots in the spring, Their flesh sweet on the tongue, the salty wine From bitter grapes, which gathered through the vine The mineral drouth of autumn concentrate, Wild spring in dream escaping the debate Of flesh and spirit on those vernal nights, Its resolution in naive delights, The young kids bleating softly in the rain–– All this to pass, not to return again. And when I found your flesh did not resist, It was the living spirit that I kissed, It was the spirit’s change in which I lay: Thus, mind in mind we waited for the day. When flesh shall fall away, and, falling, stand Wrinkling with shadow over face and hand, Still I shall meet you on the verge of dust And know you as a faithful vestige must. And, in commemoration of our lust, May our heirs seal us in a single urn, A single spirit never to return.