Two Poems by C.S. Lewis

1.

Master they say that when I seem

To be in speech with you,

Since you make no replies, it's all a dream

- One talker aping two. 

They are half right, but not as they

imagine; rather, I

Seek in myself the things I meant to say,

And lo! The wells are dry.

Then, seeing me empty, you forsake

The listener's role, and through

My dead lips breathe and into utterance wake

The thoughts I never knew.

And thus you neither need reply

Nor can; thus while we seem

Two talking, thou art One forever, and I

No dreamer, but thy dream

2. After Prayers, Lie Cold

Arise my body, my small body, we have striven

Enough, and He is merciful; we are forgiven.

Arise small body, puppet-like and pale, and go,

White as the bed-clothes into bed, and cold as snow,

Undress with small, cold fingers, and put out the light,

And be alone, hush'd mortal, in the sacred night,

- A meadow whipt flat with the rain, a cup

Emptied and clean, a garment washed and folded up,

Faded in colour, thinned almost to raggedness

By dirt and by the washing of that dirtiness.

Be not too quickly warm again. Lie cold; consent

To weariness' and pardon's watery element.

Drink up the bitter water, breathe the chilly death;

Soon enough comes the riot of our blood and breath.