to make each person's soul expand and fly

the force that through the green fuse drives the flower

drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees

is my destroyer.

and I am dumb to tell the crooked rose

my youth is bent by the same wintry fever.

the force that drives the water through the rocks

drives my red blood; that dries the mouthing streams

turns mine to wax.

and I am dumb to mouth unto my veins

how at the mountain spring the same mouth sucks.

the hand that whirls the water in the pool

stirs the quicksand; that ropes the blowing blind

hauls my shroud sail.

and I am dumb to tell the hanging man

how of my clay is made the hangman's lime.

the lips of time leech to the fountain head;

love drips and gathers, but the fallen blood

shall calm her sores.

and I am dumb to tell a weather's wind

how time has ticked a heaven round the stars.

and I am dumb to tell the lover's tomb

how at my sheet goes the same crooked worm.

- the force that through the green fuse drives the flower by dylan thomas