Shadow's Lair

I am a stag, of seven tines,
I am a flood, across a plain,
I am a wind, on a deep lake,
I am a tear, the Sun lets fall,
I am a hawk, above the cliff,
I am a thorn, beneath the nail,
I am a wonder, among flowers,
I am a wizard, who but I
Sets the cool head aflame with smoke.

I am a spear, that roars for blood,
I am a salmon, in a pool,
I am a lure, from paradise,
I am a hill, where poets walk,
I am a boar, ruthless and red,
I am a breaker, threatening doom,
I am a tide, that drags to death,
I am an infant, who but I
Peeps from the unhewn dolmen arch.

I am the womb, of every holt,
I am the blaze, on every hill,
I am the queen, of every hive,
I am the shield, for every head,
I am the tomb, of every hope.

Translated: Robert Graves