Untitled (A candle burning before a sacred shrine)

A candle burning before a sacred shrine
Sculpturing shadow-saints on the transept
Grotesque and full of fearful mystery
Dark wonder of the terrible fate of Christ.

The wine-dipped bread for me and I, Judas
Eating Damnation to my fitful ghost.
"One of you here is about to betray
The Son of Man. But woe unto that man,"

I heard and almost prayer disturbed my lips
Yet no prayer. Crumpled of soul I went
Out into the fields of death where never
Quivers a candle-light.

(c. Early 1926)

§ ‘fitful’ is circled