The Growth of the Flame

Question 1

A mind

Answer 1

daring heavenly experiment,

Question 2

Growing towards

Answer 2

some largeness they felt near,

Question 3

Testing the unknown’s bound

Answer 3

with eager touch

Question 4

They still were prisoned

Answer 4

by their human grain:

Question 5

They could not keep up

Answer 5

with her tireless step;

Question 6

Too small and eager

Answer 6

for her large-paced will,

Question 7

Too narrow to look

Answer 7

with the unborn Infinite’s gaze

Question 8

Their nature weary grew

Answer 8

of things too great.

Question 9

For even the close partners

Answer 9

of her thoughts

Question 10

Who could have walked

Answer 10

the nearest to her ray,

Question 11

Worshipped the power

Answer 11

and light they felt in her

Question 12

But could not match

Answer 12

the measure of her soul.

Question 13

A friend and yet too great

Answer 13

wholly to know,

Question 14

She walked in their front

Answer 14

towards a greater light,

Question 15

Their leader and queen

Answer 15

over their hearts and souls

Question 16

One close to their bosoms,

Answer 16

yet divine and far.

Question 17

Admiring and amazed

Answer 17

they saw her stride

Question 18

Attempting with a godlike

Answer 18

rush and leap

Question 19

Heights for their human

Answer 19

stature too remote

Question 20

Or with a slow great

Answer 20

many-sided toil

Question 21

Pushing towards aims

Answer 21

they hardly could conceive;

Question 22

Yet forced to be

Answer 22

the satellites of her sun

Question 23

They moved unable

Answer 23

to forgo her light,

Question 24

Desiring they clutched

Answer 24

at her with outstretched hands

Question 25

Or followed stumbling

Answer 25

in the paths she made.

Question 26

Or longing with their self

Answer 26

of life and flesh

Question 27

They clung to her for

Answer 27

heart's nourishment and support:

Question 28

The rest they could not see

Answer 28

in visible light;

Question 29

Vaguely they bore

Answer 29

her inner mightiness.

Question 30

Or bound by the senses

Answer 30

and the longing heart,

Question 31

Adoring with a turbid

Answer 31

human love,

Question 32

They could not grasp

Answer 32

the mighty spirit she was

Question 33

Or change by closeness

Answer 33

to be even as she.

Question 34

Some felt her with their souls

Answer 34

and thrilled with her,

Question 35

A greatness felt near

Answer 35

yet beyond mind's grasp;

Question 36

To see her was

Answer 36

a summons to adore,