Sunrise Universe

I was Piranesi imprisoned in the catacombs of dawn 
hiding from the crucifix sunrise
The angels were lying: collapsing is the piety of desire
this shattering by a wreckage of flesh
the wasting aftermath—our bodies’ familiar tragedy 
Sisphyus survived the burning sunsets
I imagined you lavishing in the light, guiltless  
Madonna of the Briars in hills of fire
while I was solitary as wild fields in the daylight
you were sacred and unreal Heaven
a hidden miracle like murmurations of starlings in the mist 
this never-ending devouring at the periphery of dreams
how could I be but breathless before your eyes?
Being of breathless creation: neither can I be nor can be extinction
come now watcher in the waters for the darkness is falling
come now fallen of the wastelands for the darkness is watching
imitate the majestic violence of ripping sunrise: refuse to die, refuse to die
ephemeral desire like evening dews of springtime
Madonna was in the crossfires of war dreaming apocalypses
Being that chain of whirlwinds radiating darkness
All these seasons I survived in stations of the sleeping city
I exist I exist after years of wandering in the starlit wilderness
the darkness said: in the aftermath you will speak my language
burning sunrise universe, where is your victory? 
do not depart me, this great and terrible beauty
I am the afterimage of fire born on the high winds
command me to die
command me to rise