The Gods Awaken

One thing at least is certain, the rest is lies.

The flower that once has blown forever dies.

I sent my soul through the Invisible,

Some letter of that afterlife to spell,

And by and by it returned to me

To answer: I myself am Heaven and Hell.

Heaven but the vision of fulfilled desire.

Hell but the shadow of a soul on fire.

Cast onto darkness into which we-

So late emerged-shall so soon expire!

From The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Edward Fitzgerald Translation