There’s a Certain Slant of Light

There’s a certain slant of light,

Winter afternoons —

That oppresses, like the heft

Of cathedral tunes —

Heavenly hurt, it gives us —

We can find no scar,

But internal difference —

Where the meanings are —

None may teach it — any —

’Tis the seal despair —

An imperial affliction

Sent us of the air —

When it comes, the landscape listens —

Shadows hold their breath —

When it goes, ’tis like the distance

On the look of death —