The Sacrifice

The Sacrifice

In a dream I saw the halls of Apollo’s temple,
All around I heard the dark grumbling of thunder;
I saw in that first instant a disturbing,
Broken, final glimpse of the crashing sun.

The shadows poured down on me
From a steep cliff, falling like heavy funeral cloth;
The storm shoveled the clods of clouds,
As if it wanted to plug a tomb.

I understood God’s grief and wrath,
And I left the pathway to his holy fount,
Scooped up the primal ember
From out of the darkness.

And raised the bowl up to his throne:
A flame, great Father, your son;
There are so few, that know how to sacrifice!

-Richard Dehmal
translation by Joe Bandel