Yeshiva University - Masmid Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 26 text:

MASMID I had searched for a succoring soul In the dreamlands that I had created — To conduct me aloft to a goal Whose attainment I long had awaited. I had seatched for a soul in the dreamlands. The phanfastical realms I created, Like the frightened who need the seem-Iands Where all youthful ambitions are mated; Like one starving for need of a soul. Whose great hunger could hardly be sated, I was eager to climb to the goal Where the process of mortals is waited. • • • From the finest of clay she was molded — She sprang from the richest of clay — Like a plant from the subsoil she sprang, And she blossomed in peerless array; Like a plant from the subsoil she sprang Whose seed had been molded of clay . . . And her lover-creator now sang In his heart for his golden-hued fay: — For her life-seed was carefully molded. So the artist was buoyant and gay. And he watched how his flower unfolded And blossomed in peerless array. • • • Like a goddess in loose-hanging drape She was sculptured, and Venus was shamed, And I knew ' neath the gold figured crepe Was a soul that was pure and unmaimed. Like a tall Grecian goddess or fairy. So beautiful beauty was shamed, She was draped lest the rash and unwary Be struck blind by such brilliance untamed — Hence I kissed the gold hem of the drape And gladly my earth-life disclaimed When I saw through the flowery crepe That her goddess-like self was unmaimed. • • • Oh, lead me away from the valley To the loftiest, towering heights Where the light-headed mountain-folk dally With the gamboling nimble-foot sprites. Oh show me the road, I beseeched her, Through the regions untrod to the heights Twenty-jour

Page 25 text:

MASMID (1 ixe in s s a » By Ml ' KNAKI) DOV Mll.IANS I t.ilkcl my youililul diciins I roiii fancy ' s store Ami shaped a Jrtani-tliiM of my phantasy, Then, decked in pomp to suit her majesty, I took her to myself forevermore . . . A soul and body such as all adore Were blended into perfect harmony; Her guileless splendor lured and dazzled me As though she were a maid that woman bore. The lovely nothing I hail once endowed With life I nameil Revissa, child of dreams. She bids me raise my head when I am cowed As sunlike through the dismal sky she gleams. She is my love, my mother, and my child: iM - I ' ricnd A tiiint; of beauty undtfiled. • • When she held out her hand in the darkness. And I clasped her smooth velvety hand, She unlimbered my petrified starkness And the cold dying embers were fanned. She held out her hand and I grasped it — Like one drowning I grasped her soft hand Like one in the quagmire I clasped it — Like a child who was learning to stand: For .she was to lead in the darkness. Through the marshy unhabited land — Through the cloddish and bouldery starkness, So I clasped her smooth velvety hand. • • • Like a zealot on bare bended knee I kissed the gold hem of her dress. With eyes strained at the heavens to see How the stars watched the envied caress ; Like a zealot I bent and I kissed it — The gold hem of her gossamer dress . . . I had searched for a soul and had missed it And before joy had failed to impress. But I found her and stooped on my knee Like a lover to vow and profess With eyes peeled at the starlets to see f they envied her lover ' s caress. Twenly-lbree

Page 27 text:

MASMID You iiiiisl show iiic tlic roiul, I iinplorcil her 1 wouKI IciiJi ol ihc smootli-browed delights. I am glutted will) pangs of the valley, With its blood-chilling, venomous bites, And w ' luiKI Ic.Lin where the mountain-folk dally When liny (liiiil In liie towering heights. • Tiien she lield out Ikt li.uul ui the darkness And I stroked her smooth velvety hand . . . Come away from earth ' s indurate starkness Lead, Revissa, I beg ... I demand. How silken her fingers and smooth Wiien I touched her too-fairylike hand l n she fingered my forehead to soothe With its softness the brow-ridging band! But my dream-child stood still in the darkness Though she heard me entreat and command. Yet she quite had unlimbered the .starkness Willi her stroking, smooth velvety hand. ■k -k -k I know none of the pathways — she told me— That may lead to the star-laden sky. Though you, master creator, would scold me For you think that I, lawless, defy . . . What avail all entreaties to lead you — A mortal — aloft to the sky Where the fodder of earth can not feed you. And you, cloyed with delusions, shall die. Must you seek this strange pathway, she told mc To the regions no man may espy! But you, dreaming Revore, still would scold me And think that 1. fretful, defy. • • • Come, Revore, rest your head on my shoulder. Let a smile hide your shadowy frown ; Let your keen exultation grow bolder As you think of a dream-studded crown . . . For a bliss-haloed dimple will hide The dark fluttering wings of a frown, And the elves of discomfort will glide To the folds of my flowery gown — When you quiet your thoughts on my shouldei And you sleep as on pillowy down. For the joy in your heart will grow bolder When you think of your dream-studded crown.